Tony Hills
Tony Hills is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Mark Homer from 7 September 1995 to 15 April 1999. Development Homer's departure from ''EastEnders'' was announced in late 1998, along with that of his co-star Andrew Lynford. They both decided to leave following discussions with the executive producer Matthew Robinson, and a spokesperson for the programme said "They have mutually agreed that both characters have fulfilled their potential and will conclude their stories with a dramatic exit." Their departures left only one gay character in the UK's mainstream soap operas, that of Zoe Tate in ''Emmerdale''. Gay campaigning group Stonewall's spokesman Matt Aston commented on this, saying: "Gay characters did seem to be on the rise for a while, but now they've got a bit of a low profile. We'd like to see a few more positive role models in the media, especially to encourage young people who are coming to terms with their sexuality, as well as their ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Mark Homer
Mark Homer (born 1973) is an English actor and writer. He is best known for playing Tony Hills in the popular British soap opera ''EastEnders'' from 1995 to 1999. His subsequent work includes guest appearances in ''Silent Witness'' and ''Spine Chillers'', both also for the BBC. In 2000, Homer appeared in a play called ''Boxed'' at London's Riverside Studios, which he co-wrote with Carolina Giammetta (who also starred in the play) and ''EastEnders'' director Ray Kilby (the play's director). Career Homer's first television acting role was playing Tony Hills on ''EastEnders''. He worked on the soap from 1995 to 1999. On playing the role, Homer (who is straight) told the Huffington Post in 2016: "My biggest challenge was making Tony Hills as believable as I could ..I used to get so many letters from vulnerable teenagers who felt totally alone in the world. All of a sudden there was a person on the telly who they could identify with. I felt some kind of pressure to make sure eve ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Zoe Tate
Zoe Tate is a fictional character from the British soap opera ''Emmerdale'', played by Leah Bracknell. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 12 December 1989. Zoe was involved in many major storylines during her time on the soap, including the deaths of her father Frank ( Norman Bowler) and brother Chris (Peter Amory), the betrayal and departure of her stepmother Kim ( Claire King), coming out as lesbian and a battle with schizophrenia. Zoe became the first lesbian character in a British soap opera when she came out in 1993. She departed on 22 September 2005. Casting and characterisation Two years after graduating from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and having only done theatre and commercial work, Bracknell was cast in the role of Zoe. Bracknell initially signed a nine-month contract and she thought that was how long the job would last. She also stated: "I'd only ever been to Leeds once before, and I'd never really watched ''Emmerdal ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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DNA Paternity Testing
DNA paternity testing uses DNA profiling, DNA profiles to determine whether an individual is the biology, biological parent of another individual. Paternity testing can be essential when the rights and duties of the father are in issue, and a child's Father, paternity is in doubt. Tests can also determine the likelihood of someone being a biological grandparent. Though genetics, genetic testing is the most reliable standard, older methods also exist, including blood type, ABO blood group typing, analysis of various other proteins and enzymes, or using human leukocyte antigen antigens. The current paternity testing techniques are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Paternity testing can now also be performed while the woman is still pregnant from a blood draw. DNA testing is currently the most advanced and accurate technology to determine parentage. In a DNA paternity test, the result (called the 'probability of parentage) is 0% whe ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ross Kemp
Ross James Kemp (born 21 July 1964) is an English actor, author, and television presenter. He rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. His other roles include Graham Lodsworth in ''Emmerdale'' and Detective Inspector Monk in '' Birds of a Feather''. Kemp presented the BAFTA Award-winning documentary television series '' Ross Kemp on Gangs'' (2004–2009). Early life Kemp was born on 21 July 1964 in Barking, Essex. His mother Jean was a hairdresser and his father John was a detective superintendent in the Metropolitan Police. He has one brother. Kemp attended Shenfield High School and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Acting career Early career After leaving drama school, Kemp received his Equity card when appearing alongside John Thaw and Richard Wilson at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea. Kemp went on to feature in training films for the Ministry of Defence and the ITV soap opera '' Emmerdale Farm'' ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)
Grant Mitchell is a fictional character from the United Kingdom, British soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Ross Kemp. He was introduced by executive producer Michael Ferguson (director), Michael Ferguson to revamp the show, and originally served as one of the show's protagonists throughout the 1990s, with the character first appearing in 22 February 1990 and then departing on 25 October 1999 after Kemp had opted to leave the show. He then returned to the show on 24 October 2005 for a few weeks and returned again between March and June 2006. Kemp was persuaded to return to the role for brief stints during a period of heavy media criticism aimed at ''EastEnders''. The return proved to be a ratings success. Kemp reprised the role of Grant for various guest stints in 2016, appearing in twelve episodes between 13 May and 9 September. An archived recording of his voice was heard on 25 January 2022. On 26 July 2022, it was announced that Grant would feature in a flashback episode foc ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Andrew Lynford
Andrew Lynford (born 14 June 1972) is a British television presenter and actor. Since 2010, he has worked extensively as a theatre & television director, talent agent and casting director. He is widely remembered for playing Simon Raymond, the brother of Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon), in the popular BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. He also presented ''Playdays'' for Children's BBC in the early 1990s. Career Born in Essex, Lynford trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. He has had many theatre roles, including Ralph in ''Bouncers''; Tim in ''Up on the Roof'', Adrian in '' The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole'' and Hal in '' Loot''. He is also a veteran) of musical theatre, starring in ''The Little Shop of Horrors''; ''Oliver!''; '' The King & I'' and ''Anything Goes''. In 1996 Lynford joined the cast of ''EastEnders'', playing Simon Raymond, the homosexual brother of Martine McCutcheon's character Tiffany Raymond. His character made headlines in the Bri ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Simon Raymond
Simon Raymond is a fictional character from the BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ... soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Andrew Lynford. Simon is introduced in 1996 as the homosexual brother of Tiffany Mitchell (EastEnders), Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon). His relationship with the bisexual character Tony Hills (Mark Homer) featured a gay kiss that caused controversy in the UK; numerous complaints were made because of its broadcasting. Simon remained in the serial until 1999, at which time it was mutually agreed between Lynford and executive producer Matthew Robinson (producer), Matthew Robinson, that the character had run its course. The character was given a happy ending, reuniting with his former boyfriend Tony to travel Europe. Development Lynford has ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Martine McCutcheon
Martine Kimberley Sherrie McCutcheon (formerly Ponting, born 14 May 1976) is an English actress and singer. She began appearing in television commercials at an early age and made her television debut in the children's television drama '' Bluebirds'' in 1989. In the early 1990s, she had minor success as one third of the pop group Milan, but it was her role as Tiffany Mitchell in the BBC's soap opera ''EastEnders'' and her role in the 2003 romantic comedy ''Love Actually'' that brought her stardom. For the former she won the National Television Award, while the latter earned her the Empire and MTV Movie awards. She was written out of ''EastEnders'' at the end of 1998 and then embarked on a pop career, this time as a solo artist. McCutcheon's debut studio album, '' You Me & Us'' (1999), peaked at number two in the UK, and spawned the UK number one single " Perfect Moment" and two further UK top 10 entries, " I've Got You" and the double-sided " Talking in Your Sleep/" Love Me". I ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Tiffany Mitchell (EastEnders)
Tiffany Mitchell (also Raymond) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Martine McCutcheon from 1995 until 1999. The character was created by writer Tony Jordan. She was introduced as a school friend of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) in January 1995. In 1996, after getting herself a job as barmaid of the soap's pub, The Queen Victoria, Tiffany got pregnant by former pub landlord Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp). They later started a relationship and got married, having a daughter called Courtney. However, the relationship suffered a lot due to Grant's constant mistreatment of Tiffany. The final blow occurred towards the end of 1998 when Grant had an affair with Tiffany's mother, Louise Raymond ( Carol Harrison). Tiffany was a prominent and popular character during her tenure. At the end of 1997, McCutcheon announced she would be quitting the role in order to pursue a musical career. Producers made the controversial decision to kill the character ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dan Zappieri
The following is a list of fictional characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' in 1996, by order of first appearance. Michael Rose Michael Rose, played by Russell Floyd, first appears in Walford as a Market Inspector in 1996. He initially has very few storylines, but he is chosen to be the best man at Terry Raymond (Gavin Richards)'s wedding (which is later called off). He has a crush on April Branning ( Debbie Arnold) but no relationship ever develops between them. Then there is the arrival of his teenage son Matthew (Joe Absolom) and former wife Susan Rose (Tilly Vosburgh) in 1997. His ex-wife Susan is suffering from multiple sclerosis and Michael ends up caring for her. Eventually he and Susan get back together and seem happy until the arrival of Lisa Shaw (Lucy Benjamin) who is also a Market Inspector. He and Lisa become attracted to each other and have an affair behind Susan's back. Michael ends the affair and decides to leave Walford with S ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy (tablet form), and molly (crystal form), is an empathogen–entactogenic drug with stimulant and minor psychedelic properties. In studies, it has been used alongside psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety in autism spectrum disorder. The purported pharmacological effects that may be prosocial include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. When taken by mouth, effects begin in 30 to 45 minutes and last three to six hours. MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch. It was used to enhance psychotherapy beginning in the 1970s and became popular as a street drug in the 1980s. MDMA is commonly associated with dance parties, raves, and electronic dance music. Tablets sold as ecstasy may be mixed with other substances such as ephedrine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. In 2016, about 21 million people between ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Daniella Denby-Ashe
Daniela Jolanta Denby-Ashe (born 9 August 1978) is an English actress. She is best known for playing Sarah Hills on the soap opera ''EastEnders'', Margaret Hale on the period drama '' North and South'', and Janey Harper on the BBC sitcom ''My Family''. She also played Jem Allen (Series 4) and Lorraine Donnegan (Series 7-8) on the drama series '' Waterloo Road''. Early life Denby-Ashe was born in North West London on 9 August 1978, the daughter of Polish immigrants; her father's original name was Miroslaw Pszkit. Before her parents married, they decided to adopt a more British-sounding surname, so they each chose a surname they liked from the telephone directory and hyphenated them. Denby-Ashe is fluent in English, Polish, and French, learning the latter from her grandmother, who was raised in France until World War II broke out. She began studying ballet at the age of two and tap at a later stage; from the ages of 10 to 16, she attended several drama schools, including the C ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |