Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness set to join the cast of EastEnders

Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness set to join the cast of EastEnders as the love interest of Billy Mitchell

Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness is set to join the cast of EastEnders, where she’ll play the love interest of Billy Mitchell.

The actress, 71, who famously played Boycie’s long-suffering wife Marlene in the hit sitcom, will play a character called Estelle when she joins the BBC soap for a short stint this Spring.

And her time on the show will certainly be an eventful one as she catches the eye of unlucky-in-love Billy (Perry Fenwick).

New role: Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness is set to join the cast of EastEnders, where she’ll play the love interest of Billy Mitchell (pictured in 2018)

Estelle’s arrival will see her overseeing a photoshoot with Billy’s daughter Janet Mitchell.

But while she has a job to do, her attention soon turns to Janet’s father Billy and it soon becomes clear that not everyone is as taken with the newcomer as Billy is.

Discussing her exciting new role, Sue said: ‘I was absolutely delighted to have been given the chance to visit Walford. 

‘It felt very surreal to be popping into the actual fish and chip shop, Ruby’s club, The Queen Vic, and wandering around the iconic Albert Square. I was ridiculously excited about the whole thing! 

Heading for romance? Sue's time on the show will certainly be an eventful one as she catches the eye of unlucky-in-love Billy (Perry Fenwick)

Heading for romance? Sue’s time on the show will certainly be an eventful one as she catches the eye of unlucky-in-love Billy (Perry Fenwick)

‘After more than fifty years in the business it was my first time working on a soap and I loved the whole experience.’ 

The actress joined Only Fools in Horses in 1985 and starred in the show until it ended in 2003. 

She also starred in the series’ spin-off show The Green Green Grass, appearing from 2005 to 2009. 

Maaarlene! The actress, 71, who famously played Boycie's long-suffering wife Marlene in the hit sitcom, will play a character called Estelle when she joins the BBC soap for a short stint this Spring (pictured in 2001)

Maaarlene! The actress, 71, who famously played Boycie’s long-suffering wife Marlene in the hit sitcom, will play a character called Estelle when she joins the BBC soap for a short stint this Spring (pictured in 2001)

Thrilled: 'It felt very surreal to be popping into the actual fish and chip shop, Ruby’s club, The Queen Vic, and wandering around the iconic Albert Square. I was ridiculously excited about the whole thing! (pictured in 2015)

Thrilled: ‘It felt very surreal to be popping into the actual fish and chip shop, Ruby’s club, The Queen Vic, and wandering around the iconic Albert Square. I was ridiculously excited about the whole thing! (pictured in 2015)

Sue has enjoyed a successful career on both stage and screen both before and after her time on the Peckham-based sitcom.

She’s had stints in medical dramas Doctors, Holby City and Casualty, while she’s also appeared in Cold Feet, Minders and Heartbeat.

In 2018, she reunited with Only Fools and Horses legend David Jason in Still Open All Hours, where she plays Mrs Rossi. 

Career: Sue has enjoyed a successful career on both stage and screen both before and after her time on the Peckham-based sitcom (pictured in 2001)

Career: Sue has enjoyed a successful career on both stage and screen both before and after her time on the Peckham-based sitcom (pictured in 2001)