BBC stands by 'exahusted' Eastenders star
The BBC today said it would continue to support troubled EastEnders’ actress Michelle Ryan after a newspaper revealed that her worried parents had called for police help when she went missing from home.
The 18-year-old, who plays Zoe Slater, is believed to be suffering from nervous exhaustion.
She has been given indefinite time off from the soap, after discussions between her parents and executive producer Louise Berridge and on doctors’ advice that she should rest.
Scotland Yard confirmed that police had been called by her parents after she disappeared from her home in Enfield, north-east London.
‘‘North London Police were called at 8.30pm on May 30 by a mother reporting that her 18-year-old daughter had left their home address and asked for police assistance to locate her.
‘‘The 18-year-old was found walking in Waterlow Park in Holloway at 8.52pm. She went home with her father who had already been looking for her. No further police action was taken,’’ a spokesman said.
He added that the teenager was offered hospital treatment but declined.
The Sunday Mirror reported that Ryan had called her parents to say she was heading to north London’s Archway Road, known as a notorious suicide blackspot.
Ryan, who still lives at home with her parents and brother, recently split with Footballers’ Wives star Gary Lucy.
In the past she has also admitted she found working on the BBC1 soap extremely stressful and her more traumatic storylines had left her feeling emotionally drained.
Berridge said: ‘‘Michelle is a valued member of the cast and it is important for us to support her at a time like this. We look forward to her return as soon as possible.’’
Meanwhile, the soap has announced that TV entertainer Shane Ritchie is to join the cast in September.
Berridge said: ‘‘I am delighted to announce that Shane Ritchie will be joining EastEnders in September.
‘‘We were very impressed with his contribution to the workshops he attended over the last few months and out of that a fantastic character has been established.’’
Ritchie, who has not worked on TV for several years but has appeared in West End shows Grease and Boogie Nights, said it was ‘‘fantastic news’’.
He said: ‘‘England win and then Shane wins! I heard just after England won. How brilliant was my day?’’
No details were given about storylines involving him or about his character, who will be seen on the show from October.
Another new arrival to the soap comes in the form of ex-Bond Girl Judi Shekoni, who appears from next Tuesday.
The 24-year-old stared alongside Piers Brosnan in The World Is Not Enough, and will play Precious, the girlfriend of gangster Angel, played by rap star Goldie.
