Joe Di Marco

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' in 1998, by order of first appearance.

Lola Christie

Lola Christie is played by Diane Parish. Lola was introduced as a love interest for Mick McFarlane (Sylvester Williams). Parish notably returned to ''EastEnders'' in 2006 playing a different character, Denise Fox.

Lola Christie auditions as a singer for Mick's band. Mick is impressed with her singing talents and offers her the job. Mick is attracted to Lola, they start dating, but she is always rushing off without warning and Mick is surprised to discover that Lola has a secret young son named Carl (Stacey Wright; son of Ian) whose father, Neil, had abandoned Lola when she was 5 months pregnant. Mick proves supportive, but Lola eventually leaves Mick and the band when she gets her own recording contract as a soloist.

Creation

At the time, Lola was the highest profile role for actress Diane Parish. The character was a singer in Mick's jazz band; Parish had worked her way through drama school at RADA by doing session singing at a recording studio, though she had never seriously considered singing as a career. Parish has commented, "The only reason I took on the role of Lola was because her storyline wasn't really to do with her singing, that was just incidental. There was a bit of interest at the time – but I have to confess I didn't exactly have Island Records beating my door down with a contract!". In a televised interview in 2020, Parish described the singing aspect of the role as "excruciating", claiming it made her unsuited to play Lola.

Following the end of her initial six-month contract, Parish decided to leave ''EastEnders''. In a 1998 interview she revealed, "I had made a decision that I would stay only six months, whatever happened. But I was tempted to stay longer because it is such a great show and lovely people. Leaving was like ripping away from real friendships – but I'm not in this business to settle down. I get itchy feet and I left to do ''Picking Up the Pieces'' which is a real challenge. Being a part of ''EastEnders'' is like nothing else, a whole different beast from other shows because practically everyone has watched it at some time and you get to be known wherever you go. I thought that would end when I left, but I still get it even now."

She has since revealed that she found it hard to cope with the fame of being in such a high-profile soap, and in a 2002 interview with the ''Daily Mirror'' it was reported that she "hated" her time in the soap so much, that she had no qualms about turning down a long-term contract: "I resented being a 'star' and I resented acting like one. It is cliquey, and once you are in a soap, that is it. The soap just clings on to you. People say: 'Everything you do before a soap and after does not matter.' It is true. EE made me odd. I was bobbing along happily as a jobbing actress, and then EE came along. I found it strange to lose my anonymity. People really believe they own you. They grab you, scream at you. I did not cope well. I became introverted and I stayed in a lot. I felt a bit depressed, too. I felt I had lost something. In the end I just had to get out. I lost the point as to why I was doing the job, and to be perfectly frank it just got messy." However, in the same interview, Parish said she would consider returning to ''EastEnders'' if they asked her: "I'd handle things better. I love watching it. Jim Branning is fab." Parish did return to the soap in 2006, but playing a completely different character, Denise Fox. On her decision to return, Parish said, "''EastEnders'' was different back then. There was a spotlight on anyone in it – some actors were akin to pop stars. It's calmer now."

Beppe di Marco

Beppe di Marco, played by Michael Greco, is first seen when local residents George Palmer (Paul Moriarty) and Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) attend his father's funeral. He soon moves to Albert Square with the rest of his family. Beppe is his family's pride and joy, so it is a big shock to them when he is fired from the police force for attempting to frame his sworn enemy and Peggy's youngest son Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) for GBH on his long-suffering wife Tiffany Raymond (Martine McCutcheon). The character Beppe is ta heart-throb and he becomes involved in numerous relationships, which of all ended in disaster.

Bruno di Marco

Bruno di Marco, played by Leon Lissek, is the patriarch of the di Marco family. He moves to Albert Square with his family after the death of his son. Bruno's wife, Luisa (Stella Tanner) suffers a stroke shortly before Bruno's birthday in July 1998. She recovers but remains frail and in December Bruno and Luisa decide to take a trip to Italy, before it is too late. When they get there they like it so much that they decided to stay.

Gianni di Marco

Gianni di Marco, played by Marc Bannerman, is Beppe di Marco's ( Michael Greco) hotheaded younger brother. He works as a chef in the family restaurant, and later becomes manager of the business. Gianni has relationships with several women in Walford, and backs Beppe in various run-ins with Grant (Ross Kemp) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), as the two groups of brothers often have conflicts over several interests.

Luisa di Marco

Luisa di Marco, played by Stella Tanner, is the wife of Bruno (Leon Lissek). She is often troubled by the antics of her grandchildren, and when she sees her youngest granddaughter Nicky (Carly Hillman) kissing Martin Fowler (James Alexandrou), the shock is too much and she suffers a stroke. She recovers but remains frail and in December Luisa and Bruno decide to take a trip to Italy before it was too late. When they get there they liked it so much that they decide to stay.

Nicky di Marco

Nicoletta "Nicky" di Marco, played by Carly Hillman, arrives in Albert Square as a teenager with her mother Rosa (Louise Jameson), brothers Beppe and Gianni ( Michael Greco and Marc Bannerman), and sister Teresa (Leila Birch) in 1998. Nicky becomes the best friend of Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy) and briefly dates Jamie Mitchell ( Jack Ryder), Asif Malik (Ashvin Luximon) and Martin Fowler (James Alexandrou).

In 2000, her mother Rosa arranges for some home maths lessons to help with Nicky's exams. Her tutor is Rod Morris (Forbes Masson), whom she falls in love with. Nicky makes the first move on her tutor and he initially reciprocates, but then takes things too far and sexually assaults Nicky, who then tells her family what has happened, but doesn't reveal she is partly to blame. This leads to her overprotective brother Gianni attacking Rod. Gianni is charged with assault but the charges are dropped when Nicky admits that she has not told the whole truth. Nicky then admits that she was afraid that her family wouldn't have believed that she had been molested if she had admitted she'd made the first move. When she realises her family have doubts of her innocence, she decides to leave home, and explains that she has received the address for a hostel. However, she returns when the Di Marcos (bar Beppe and Joe) decide to Walford leave for a new life in Leicester in August 2000. The charges against Rod are also dropped.

Rosa di Marco

Rosa di Marco, played by Louise Jameson. She is the mother of Beppe ( Michael Greco), Gianni (Marc Bannerman), Teresa (Leila Birch) and Nicky di Marco (Carly Hillman). After the death of her husband, she moves to Walford along with the rest of her family, and she soon sets up her own restaurant with the help of her old friend, George Palmer (Paul Moriarty). It is later revealed that Rosa and George had a fling many years ago during the time her husband was in prison. This leads George to believe that Rosa's son Gianni could be his son.

Teresa di Marco

Teresa di Marco, played by Leila Birch, is Rosa di Marco (Louise Jameson)'s eldest daughter and a wild child, despite the fact she has her overprotective, big brothers Beppe and Gianni ( Michael Greco and Marc Bannerman) looking out for her.

She first appears at her father's funeral in January 1998, and had recently failed her A-level exams, making her mother suspicious that she had done this on purpose, so she can stay as a waitress in the family restaurant. However, Teresa has higher aspirations than working in the family business, and so gets her own stall on the market.

Teresa also knows how to find trouble. She is caught with drugs by the police, finds out that her bisexual boyfriend Tony Hills (Mark Homer) had an affair with his ex-boyfriend Simon Raymond (Andrew Lynford). Teresa also had flings with Lenny Wallace ( Desune Coleman) and the married Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen). Teresa then runs away with her then boyfriend, Matthew Rose (Joe Absolom), who is suspected of murdering Saskia Duncan. When they are finally found, Matthew is found guilty and Teresa is crushed. She campaigns to get him freed, and when he is the two are reunited, but his desire for revenge on the real murderer Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) scares her and they break up.

Following her sister Nicky (Carly Hillman)'s accusations of assault, most of the di Marcos decide to leave for Leicester and, after a heart to heart with brother Beppe, makes Teresa realise she needs a new start. She then joins her family and heads out of Walford.

Joe di Marco

Joe di Marco is played by Jake Kyprianou between 1998 and 2002. Joe's most notable storyline is being "the focus of a tug-of-love" between his mother and father. Joe, along with his father Beppe di Marco ( Michael Greco), was axed by the executive producer of ''EastEnders'', John Yorke.

The Italian di Marco family were introduced early in 1998 by executive producer Jane Harris. They were heralded as the "family that would rival the Mitchells"—who are one of the most successful and long-running families to have been featured in ''EastEnders''.

The di Marcos "landed with an almighty thud in January 998 turning out in force for the funeral of patriarch Giuseppe", Joe's grandfather. The following month, the family moved to the area in which the soap is set, Walford. Joe is featured in various storylines that focus on his relationship with his father, Beppe, and Beppe's struggles as a single parent. "There was a flurry of interest" in 2000, when Joe's estranged mother Sandra (Clare Wilkie) was introduced into the serial. She vows to take Beppe to court for custody of Joe, but after a lengthy battle, and a tug-of-love that leads to Joe getting injured, this does not occur. In the storyline, Joe remains with his father after Beppe agrees to give Sandra visitation rights.

The majority of the di Marcos stayed in ''EastEnders'' until 2000, when a new executive producer, John Yorke, decided to cull them all, except Joe, Beppe and his estranged wife Sandra (though she was also written out early in 2001 when the custody battle storyline ended). The di Marcos were reportedly "slaughtered because of a shortage of ideas for what to do with them." However, a spokesperson at the time commented: "These changes…are just part of ohn Yorke'splans to revamp the series and give it a new look." The cuts paved the way for the arrival of the "hugely popular" Slater family. Beppe and Joe remained until 2002, when they were also axed. The characters departed in June, two months earlier than contracted. This was due to Beppe's actor Michael Greco, who requested to be released early from his contract. The boy who played Joe, Jake Kyprianou, reportedly gave up acting after leaving the role. The di Marcos are now deemed as something of a failure for ''EastEnders''.

Storylines

Joe di Marco is the son of Beppe and Sandra di Marco ( Michael Greco and Clare Wilkie). Sandra abandoned Joe when he was young due to Beppe's interfering family. Joe was raised by his father, his grandmother Rosa (Louise Jameson) and his great grandmother Luisa (Stella Tanner).

Sandra comes back into Joe's life in 2000. He bonds with his mother, and despite initial hostilities Beppe also welcomes Sandra back into his life. However it transpires that Sandra is only using Beppe to get access to Joe and she later reconciles with her former lover, Jack Robins (Chook Sibtain). She and Jack plan to abscond with Joe, however Beppe catches her in the act. Beppe and Sandra are then involved in a custody battle for Joe. The constant rowing has a negative effect on Joe and he finds it difficult to choose between his warring parents. This culminates in him getting hit by a car when he disobeys his father and runs across the road to be with his mother. Joe is not seriously hurt, but the accident makes his parents rethink their behaviour. Beppe eventually allows Sandra visitation rights and Joe remains with his father.

Beppe's serial womanising has a negative effect on Joe in 2001, when he walks in on his father being seduced by his teacher, Kay Bradshaw (Vanessa Earl). Joe is so unsettled that he refuses to go to school the following day. In 2002, Joe leaves with his father to live in Leicester following Rosa's death.

Nicole Moore

Nicole Moore is played by Sara Stephens. She is the mother of Jessie Moore (Chelsey Padden), the foster daughter of Mark (Todd Carty) and Ruth Fowler (Caroline Paterson).

Nicole was in prison, and asks her solicitor if she can see her daughter Jessie whilst in prison. Mark and Ruth initially refuse, but Nicole was granted her wish. Mark and Ruth later hear from their solicitor that Nicole will be released in a couple of weeks time, and will be granted permission to see Jessie once a fortnight. Mark and Ruth are devastated by this, and are forced to face the fact that Jessie may not be with them for much longer.

On Jessie's birthday, Mark and Ruth host a party for her. Nicole turns up at the party, leaving Mark and Ruth furious. However, Jessie is over the moon to see her mother. Mark later asks his solicitor if Nicole was allowed to walk in like that, and his solicitor explains that this should have been done through social services first.

Ruth later takes pity on Nicole the next time she visits, when she explains that she is getting herself together and cannot wait to be reconciled with her daughter. Ruth allows her to visit whenever she likes, things gets heavy and Nicole oversteps the Mark by Kidnapping Jessie but Connor and Mark gets her back Nicole is refused any access to Jessie by losing her to Mark and Jesse but later goes back into a hostel

Eliot Saunders

Eliot Saunders, played by Lawrence Lambert, is the father of Josh Saunders ( Jon Lee) and former husband of Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn). Eliot is angry about Julie taking Josh to live in Scotland. As Eliot is Jewish, Josh is obliged to have a Bar Mitzvah to appease his father before he leaves for Scotland. Josh is initially opposed to this, as he is not remotely interested in religion. He starts missing his Bar Mitzvah tutorials, which does not please Eliot who says he and his family will not support Josh in his life if he does not go through with it. Josh ultimately decides to go ahead with the Bar Mitzvah. It takes place in March 1998.

Hayley Edwards

Hayley Edwards, played by Karin Diamond, is the sister of Huw (Richard Elis), who tries to contact her brother in February 1998 to tell him that their father has died. She leaves messages with Huw's friend Lenny Wallace ( Desune Coleman), but Huw denies knowing anyone called Hayley (he had fallen out with his family when he was caught in bed with his fiancée's sister). Hayley then arrives in Walford to persuade him to attend the funeral, but he flatly refuses until the last minute, when he takes the train home to Wales with her.

Jonah Tyler

Jonah Tyler, played by Mark Mooney, is a former associate of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp). He later holds Phil and Courtney, Grant's daughter, hostage, threatening their mother Peggy (Barbara Windsor) and assaulting Frank Butcher ( Mike Reid) when he stands up to him. He returns to Walford in April 2022 to make another deal with Phil but discovers that he is in prison. Phil sends his sister Sam (Kim Medcalf) to do the deal instead, however, their meeting is interrupted by Phil's ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). Sam gets the percentages wrong and it transpires that Jonah wants 12% from the Mitchells as protection money. He uses Phil's absence to threaten Sam and Phil's fiancée Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) into funding the protection. Sam later meets Jonah with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and uses Jack's position as a detective inspector to blackmail Jonah into accepting her offer of a higher markup per cent on their business deal. Jonah decides to monopolise in Walford and plans to buy the nightclub "Ruby's", from Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), much to the opposition of Sam. She later outbuys him and renames the club "Peggy's". Despite this, Jonah remains feared by Kat and Sharon after a series of threats, though they are unaware that Sam is instead responsible. It is later revealed that Sam has been working with Jonah to get revenge on Phil, by ordering his henchmen to taunt Sharon and Kat, under the orders of Sam. He uses this to force Sam into allowing his men to peddle drugs inside Peggy's.

Louise Raymond

Louise Raymond, played by Carol Harrison, is the estranged wife of Terry Raymond (Gavin Richards) and mother of Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon) and Simon Raymond (Andrew Lynford). She is first seen during the wedding ceremony of Terry and Irene Hills (Roberta Taylor), when Louise stops proceedings to announce that she and Terry are still married. Harison has described Louise as "very strong and resilient but deep down she has a very vulnerable streak ..there are two sides to her. She is a lot of fun but she carries a lot of pain. Louise is a woman of the world who has had very high highs and very low lows. She is also a woman who sees people's flaws and accepts them without judgment."

Josie McFarlane

Josie McFarlane, played by Joan Hooley, is the mother of Mick McFarlane (Sylvester Williams). She is described as "well-groomed...confident" and someone who "set high – if not impossible – standards, and inevitably people failed her." Josie fosters a young girl named Kim (Krystle Williams), who she claims is a distant relative of Mick's. Kim is actually the illegitimate daughter of Josie's philandering husband, and after her mother's death, Josie kindly takes her in instead of seeing her go into care.

Kim McFarlane

Kim McFarlane, played by Krystle Williams, first arrives in Albert Square in August 1998 along with her guardian Josie McFarlane (Joan Hooley). Both have supposedly come over from Jamaica to visit Josie's son, Mick (Sylvester Williams), however it soon becomes clear that the purpose for their visit is not as innocent as Josie initially makes out. Mick is expecting his mother, but is surprised when she turns up with Kim, whom he has never met or heard of before. Josie claims that Kim is a distant relative, whom she is looking after for a while. However, it is subsequently revealed that instead of being a distant relative, Kim is actually Mick's half-sister. Kim is the product of an affair Mick's father had when he was temporarily estranged from Josie. Her mother had died when she was eight and Josie – who had lost her husband by then too – adopted Kim, rather than see her taken into care. Mick is shocked at this revelation, but he is a pretty easy going guy, so he soon accepts Kim as his new little sister, although he find Kim's tagging around after him a little irksome at first.

Kim attends Walford High School and soon becomes friendly with local girls Sonia Jackson and Nicky di Marco (Natalie Cassidy and Carly Hillman), although she is a bit younger than them, so she often gets excluded from their more mature conversations. Later on in her time in Walford, Kim attends a modelling audition with Nicky to give her moral support. However, it is Kim who is successful and not Nicky. Ambitious Josie is delighted and sets about trying to get Kim to attend as many auditions as possible. However, Kim is rejected at a casting for not being slim enough and so she starts cutting out food, developing an eating disorder that threatens to spiral dangerously out of control. It takes the combined efforts of Mick and Dr Fred Fonseca (Jimi Mistry) to get Kim back on the road to recovery.

In 2000, Josie is deported back to Jamaica for forgetting to renew her visa and Kim remains living in Walford with her brother. Kim appears infrequently after this, occasionally showing up to visit Sonia and she also gets a part-time job washing cars for Roy Evans (Tony Caunter). Kim is also very upset when Sonia decides to give up her newborn daughter, Chloe, for adoption, as Kim herself had been an adoptee. When Mick is offered a job touring with a band in 2002, he initially rejects it because of his responsibility towards Kim. However, she is adamant that he should take the job and so he leaves Walford, leaving Kim in the care of their aunt Winnie, who lives away from the square. (This was in contrast to press reports at the time, which stated Kim would move in with the Jackson family.) Kim disappears after this and her current whereabouts have never been revealed. Her last appearance is in January 2002.

Fred Fonseca

Fred Fonseca, played by Jimi Mistry, is "an attractive young doctor", who becomes the local GP in 1998, after the retirement of Dr. Legg (Leonard Fenton

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