'EastEnders': Lisa Fowler Mental Health Storyline Hinted At In Therapy Scenes
‘EastEnders’ has hinted at a mental health storyline for recent returnee Lisa Fowler.
The character, played by Lucy Benjamin, made a surprise return to Walford last week, after her daughter Louise Mitchell was badly burnt following an encounter with school bullies Alexandra and Madison.
And while it seems she is keen to patch up her relationship with Louise after abandoning her last year, it looks like there is more going on with Lisa than viewers first thought.
Thursday (27 July) night’s episode saw Lisa pay a visit to a therapist, where she lied about what she had been up to with Louise.
Despite spending hours by her bedside as she recovered from surgery, Lisa told her therapist she and Louise had enjoyed a day out together shopping.
It came after she told Phil and Sharon Mitchell her life was back on track with a new job and a new flat, which didn’t exactly ring true when she said it.
Lucy previously teased there was “lots of drama” to come from her latest stint in Walford, saying: “There’s lots of twists and turns you don’t see coming. I think there’s lots of history and you’ll see a lot of old Lisa being played out.
“You’ll see that character there ready to come out and do some stuff the viewers recognise from before.”
Lucy originally appeared in ‘EastEnders’ from 1998 to 2003, and made a one-off return in 2010.
Lisa famously shot Phil in a ‘whodunnit?’ storyline back in 2001, with the episode that revealed her as the perpetrator attracting over 20 million viewers.
Catch up on all the latest soap news and spoilers here.
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Useful websites and helplines:
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393 Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.) Get Connected is a free advice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk
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Jo Joyner
What. A. Woman.
Jo's character, Tanya, went to hell and back as Max's long-suffering wife, but the upsides were there, and Jo scooped loads of awards and even more fans during her time on the soap.
Jo returned to the Square for the soap's 30th anniversary, but in 2014, she was busy starring in the lead role of the comedy 'Trying Again'.
She also popped up on the 'Loose Women' panel a number of times, before joining the 'Ordinary Lies' cast in 2015.
Martin Kemp
Remember the time Martin helped plan a wedding as part of a reality TV show? What a glorious day that was.
On a more serious note, in 2016 he began starring as a judge on Gary Barlow's new show 'Let It Shine'.
Robert Kazinsky
Robert Kazinsky had a good few years out of the limelight after quitting the Square in 2009.
However, in 2012 it was announced he would star in the sixth season of hit US show 'True Blood'. He also landed a key role in the Idris Elba film 'Pacific Rim', and took the lead in 'Warcraft' in 2016.
Nitin Ganatra
As of early 2017, Nitin was yet to reveal his plans for life after 'EastEnders'.
Tamzin Outhwaite
After leaving 'EastEnders', shortly after the departure of her on-screen hubby Martin Kemp, Tamzin Outhwaite went on to star in a number of shows, including 'Red Cap', 'Hustle', 'Final Demand', 'Walk Away' and 'Frances Tuesday'.
In 2012, she replaced Amanda Redman in 'New Tricks'.
Danniella Westbrook
Danniella Westbrook was reportedly written out of 'EastEnders' as Sam Mitchell when her cocaine addiction affected her commitment.
She later released an autobiography about her troubles 'The Other Side of Nowhere', in 2006. Things haven't been easy for Daniella in recent years, and in 2014 she admitted to relapsing. In January 2015, Danniella began to get back on her feet. She later relapsed again in late 2016, after a 'CBB' stint and brief return to Walford.
Ricky Norwood
Ricky's first role after his character was killed off was in a radio version of 'Romeo And Juliet', which featured a same-sex couple.
He also enjoyed a stint in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house, coming second in 2016's summer series.
Terry Alderton
Tel returned to performing stand-up gigs in 2014. We saw him at Bestival once, his act is... interesting.
Maddy Hill
Maddy's first post-Soapland role was in 'Imogen', a reimagining of Shakespeare's 'Cymbeline', that was staged at the Globe theatre.
Michelle Ryan
"You ain't my mother!"
Michelle Ryan managed to move from Walford to Hollywood in 2005. She then bagged the role in the US TV show 'Bionic Woman' but sadly, it didn’t get beyond its pilot. In recent years, She made a brief appearance in 'Death In Paradise' in 2014.
John Partridge
John turned his attention to the land of reality television after leaving the soap, starring in 'Tumble' and 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
Sid Owen
He's been snapped at Cannes Film Festival, photo-bombing Chris Brown and hanging out with Adele since leaving Walford. Yes, Ricky Butcher has gone up in the world.
Sid Owen, who left the soap in 2012, has also taken part in 'Strictly Come Dancing' but was eliminated from the competition in Week 3. At the end of 2012 he announced he was retiring from acting.
Martine McCutcheon
Soon after Tiff was killed off, Martine started a solo pop career and her debut single 'Perfect Moment' was an international success. Martine's also been a hit on the West End stage, scooping an Olivier Award for 'My Fair Lady' and she also impressed in the film world, with her role in 'Love, Actually'.
In 2016, she began serving as a guest panellist on 'Loose Women'.
Nigel Harman
Nowadays, there's more chance that you'll find Nigel on stage and he's the proud owner of an Olivier Award, presented for his role in 'Shrek the Musical'.
Sadly, things haven't always gone well and Nigel was part of the cast of the ill-fated 'X Factor' musical 'I Can't Sing'. In 2014, he moved into theatre directing, taking charge of the touring production of 'Shrek'.
Hetti Bywater
Hetti was a guest star in the 2015 series of 'Death In Paradise'.
Leslie Grantham
Leslie was reunited with his daughter Sharon (Letitia Dean) in 2003, and he hung around until his character was killed off properly in two years later. In 2013 he divorced his wife of 31 years.
The 65-year-old actor was involved in a sordid tabloid newspaper “scandal” in 2004, but it was his wife’s “unreasonable behaviour” that was given in court as grounds for the divorce. Alongside Danniella Westbrook, he starred in 'Mob Handed'.
Anita Dobson
Best known for playing the emotionally battered, alcoholic landlady, Anita Dobson went on to voicing a character in kids' show 'Annette And Rod' as well as appearing in 'Sadie J', another children's programme, as Nan Bet. In early 2015, it was announced that Anita would take on the role of Queen Elizabeth I in a new BBC drama and later that year, she starred in drama 'London Road'.
Tanya Franks
After getting Phil Mitchell hooked on crack as character Rainie Cross, Tanya moved on to more drama, playing Richard Burton's wife, Sybil, in the 2012 made-for-television film 'Liz & Dick', alongside Lindsay Lohan and later starring in 'Broadchurch'.
Rainie later returned to the Square as part of the 'Who killed Lucy Beale?' storyline.
Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp went from 'EastEnders' bad boy to chasing bad boys when he left the soap in 2006.
Rebranding himself as an investigative journalist, Kemp has reported on gangs, Afghanistan, pirates, the Middle East and more. In 2012 he released a new novel, 'Moving Target'. He went on to experience what it’s like to be caught up in the middle of Northern Ireland’s most contentious and volatile Twelfth parade for the new series of his Sky1 show 'Extreme World'.
Despite ruling out a return to the soap, he did pop up again in 2016, while continuing to front various documentaries.
Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins really did a number on Ian Beale as scheming Cindy, eventually having him shot by a hitman. Michelle swapped soaps and played barmaid Stella Price in 'Coronation Street'. She later left 'Corrie', and briefly reprised her role as Cindy for a special Children In Need sketch in 2014.
Barbara Windsor
In mid-2016, Dame Barbara Windsor was back in the Square for one final time, and her character was given a suitably emotional send-off.
Since then, she's been out of the spotlight - though Babs continues to work with JackpotJoy bingo.
Phil Daniels
Phil's character Kevin Wicks met a tragic end when he died in a car crash. In 2009, he starred in a handful of episodes of 'New Tricks' before landing a role in TV mini-series, 'Moonfleet' in 2013.
Kara Tointon
Kara Tointon went on to win the 2010 edition of' Strictly Come Dancing' with her partner-turned-boyfriend Artem Chigvintsev, though the couple have since split. She then starred in 'Mr Selfridge' alongside her sister Hannah and also played the lead role in a live ITV production of 'The Sound Of Music' before landing a role in the channel's much-hyped 2017 drama 'The Halycon'.
Kacey Ainsworth
After 6 years as the loveable and the long-suffering Little Mo, Kacey went on to play Auntie Lou in 'Carrie's War' in London's West End and in 2013, she stared in Ben Elton's the comedy series 'The Wright Way'.
Kacey still pops up on TV every now and then, and gave an emotional star turn in 'Call The Midwife'.
Michael Greco
Oh Beppe, long gone but never forgotten.
Beppe isn't actually dead so Michael could technically return to the soap. Alas, he's too busy making a living as a professional poker player. Seriously.
Cheryl Fergison
After being axed from the show (death by photoframe) Cheryl went on to make guest appearances on several day-time and panel shows.
In 2012 she entered the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house, but it wasn't long before she was booted out. In 2016, she (sort of) returned to the show, when her voice was on a tape played by Dot Branning.
Meryl Fernandes
'EastEnders' was Meryl's first professional acting role... and sadly she hasn't been up to too much since. In 2013, she popped up in 'Doctors' but has since been concentrating on a shop she owns in East London.
Sam Strike
After a brief stop off in 'Slient Witness', Sam landed his first film role in 2017 release 'Leatherface'.
Jasmyn Banks
Jasmyn swapped her TV role for a spot on the stage in 2013, and moved on to become part of the touring cast of 'One Man, Two Guv'nors'. She also enjoyed a five year stint in 'Doctors', before appearing in an episode of 'Call The Midwife'.
Shaun Williamson
Shaun made a number of guest appearances on TV before securing the role of, umm, himself, in 'Extras' just a year after Janine pushed Bazza off the cliff.
He's yet another former 'EastEnders' star known for treading the boards, starring in everything from pantomimes to sketches at the Royal Albert Hall.
Nicholas Bailey
Nick joined the cast of the popular radio soap 'The Archers' in 2012.
Zoe Lucker
Screen veteran Zoe hasn't had a shortage of parts, and her credits since 'EastEnders' include 'Waterloo Road'.
Preeya Kalidas
Preeya returned her attentions to her budding career as a singer after leaving the soap, though she didn't exactly set the charts alight, with her single 'Love Between Us' peaking at number 137.
Larry Lamb
Larry hasn't been short of work during his decades in showbusiness, and his run has continued long after his character's untimely death. He's not afraid to try something new either, and in 2011, he published a new autobiography, before presenting his own LBC radio show two years later. In 2016, he appeared on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'.
Tiana Benjamin
Tiana starred in the British film 'Fast Girls' a year after making her 'EastEnders' exit, but she hasn't been in the spotlight much since, save for a handful of TV appearances.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
