41 Facts About Patsy Palmer

Julie Anne Merkell, known professionally as Patsy Palmer, is an English actress and DJ.

Patsy Palmer's other acting roles include The Bill, Gimme Gimme Gimme and The Catherine Tate Show.

Patsy Palmer has appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, Comic Relief Does The Apprentice, The Masked Singer, Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Big Brother.

Patsy Palmer was born Julie Anne Harris on 26 May 1972 to Albert and Patricia Harris, and was raised in Bethnal Green, London where she attended Globe Primary School and then nearby at Haggerston Girls Secondary School.

Patsy Palmer was brought up by her mother, along with her two elder brothers, Albert and Harry.

Patsy Palmer's mother spotted her talent for acting and encouraged her to attend Anna Scher's acting school in London.

Patsy Palmer was bullied at school, and has said that acting was a form of escape.

Patsy Palmer made her screen debut in the television programme The Gentle Touch in 1984.

Patsy Palmer went on to have small roles in BBC's Tricky Business, Making News, Clarissa, Love Hurts, Drop the Dead Donkey, and The Bill, where she portrayed four different roles from 1988 to 1993.

Patsy Palmer appeared as an acne-ridden teenager in a 1989 Clearasil advert, and in a 1992 BT advert with other future EastEnders star Jake Wood.

Patsy Palmer remained in the role for six years, but left the show in 1999 to spend more time with her family and to concentrate on projects.

Patsy Palmer reprised the role in May 2002 in a special entitled, EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca.

In 2005, Patsy Palmer publicly criticised EastEnders, branding the storylines ridiculous and unbelievable and stating that she "wouldn't go back to EastEnders".

However, in October 2007 the BBC announced that Patsy Palmer would be returning to the soap as a full-time character; she made her comeback on-screen in April 2008.

In 2014, Patsy Palmer announced that she was leaving the soap opera.

Patsy Palmer reprised the role again in the autumn of 2019 for a short stint.

In February 2020, it was announced that Patsy Palmer would be reprising her role as Bianca again, with scenes set to air later in the year.

In January 2024, it was announced that Patsy Palmer would be reprising the role again for a short stint.

Patsy Palmer departed the role in 2025, in a storyline accommodating the exit of Bianca's on-screen sister Sonia Fowler.

Patsy Palmer made a guest appearance on the Christmas Day 1993 episode of Top of the Pops introducing 'No Limit' by 2 Unlimited with presenter Mark Franklin.

Patsy Palmer worked on the first series of OK TV with Fiona Phillips in 1999.

In 1999, Patsy Palmer made a cameo appearance as herself in an episode of Kathy Burke's sitcom, Gimme Gimme Gimme; it made light of her role as Bianca Jackson.

Patsy Palmer appeared as Clare in the detective series McCready and Daughter, which aired for a pilot and one series between 2000 and 2001.

Patsy Palmer made an appearance in He Knew He Was Right for the BBC in 2004, and in 2001 she was seen in the television mini-series Do or Die, which aired on Sky One.

Patsy Palmer had a leading role in a UK tour of the musical Steppin' Out, appeared in the original West End run of Mum's the Word, and acted in We Happy Few by Imogen Stubbs, which played a short run at the Gielgud Theatre.

Patsy Palmer stood in for GMTV's Lorraine Kelly, presenting her Lorraine Live section for a week in 1999, reporting from Miami on fashion, lifestyle, health and fitness.

Patsy Palmer has co-hosted Channel 4's Big Breakfast as a guest presenter for a week.

In 2006 Patsy Palmer made an appearance in the charity fitness DVD The Allstar Workout.

In 2005, Patsy Palmer became a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Patsy Palmer was paired with Anton Du Beke and the pair were the eighth couple to be eliminated from the competition, finishing in 5th place overall.

Patsy Palmer has made a cameo appearance with Catherine Tate's sketch show The Catherine Tate Show.

In 2008, a short film starring Patsy Palmer was released by housing and homelessness charity Shelter.

Patsy Palmer has been DJing since 2012, including in United States since 2017.

In January 2020, Patsy Palmer appeared as the Butterfly on the ITV reality singing competition The Masked Singer.

In 2023, Patsy Palmer was a contestant on the fifteenth series of Dancing on Ice.

Patsy Palmer was paired with Matt Evers and the pair were fourth to be eliminated.

Patsy Palmer has been married twice and has four children, including Charley Patsy Palmer Rothwell, who is an actor.

Patsy Palmer has stated that she struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction, and that during her early stints on EastEnders she frequently turned up on set either high or hungover.

Patsy Palmer has said that she began experimenting with alcohol and drugs from the age of 10 that and her addiction lasted for 24 years.

Patsy Palmer, who was bullied during her school years, lent her support to the Department for Education's anti-bullying campaign in 2000.

Patsy Palmer is an active patron of Children's Cancer Charity CLIC Sargent.