EastEnders actresses Linda Henry and Kellie Bright are well known for their storylines in Albert Square, but some people are only just realising they also starred in a hit TV drama

EastEnders fans have been gobsmacked to discover that Linda Henry, and Kellie Bright previously appeared together on a cult TV series.

Shirley Carter actress Linda first gained TV recognition as Yvonne Atkins in the ITV drama Bad Girls from 1999 to 2003. Yvonne was the queen bee of G-Wing until her brutal demise. She also starred on shows including on A Touch Of Frost, Trial and Retribution, and Birds of A Feather.

Linda was later joined on EastEnders by several of her Bad Girls co-stars, including Luisa Bradshaw-White (who plays Shirley’s sister Tina), Annette Badland (Aunt Babe), and Kellie (Linda Carter). Sharon Duncan also played Trina on the Square and, in a strange twist of fate, co-star Victoria Alcock went on to play Mandy Salter’s mum Lorraine – the role Linda first played in EastEnders.

In the fourth season of the hard-hitting prison series, Kellie portrayed lesbian inmate Cassie Tyler, who had a tumultuous relationship with her partner in crime, Roisin. As Roisin’s behaviour escalated, an exasperated Cassie shifted her focus to top dog Yvonne, played by Linda. As the plot unfolded, Yvonne and Cassie formed a connection that led to Cassie attempting to kiss her.

EastEnders fans were both shocked and delighted as they realised the pair previously shared an on-screen romance. Commenting under a clip from the show shared on TikTok, one person wrote: “Omg lol they’ve all been in stuff together before.” “No way,” said a fan, who was clearly in disbelief, while another questioned: “Is that Shirley?”

One person added: “Remember that time when Kellie Bright and Linda Henry were on Bad Girls together @bbceastenders @ITVX.” Someone else penned: “OMG! Kellie Bright & Linda Henry were in Bad Girls together.” “Haha Shirley from EastEnders – love it,” said another.

Another fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to message actress Luisa, who played Tina Carter on EastEnders, about her Bad Girls role, writing: “I just remembered that you, Linda Henry & Kellie Bright all featured on Bad Girls! That was an awesome programme too and I have all seasons on DVD!”