| Laurie Brett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 March 1969 (age 42)[1] Hamilton, Scotland, UK |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Partner | Dave Evans (2001–07) John Milroy (2009–)[2][3] |
| Children | Erin Anne Millie Brett |
Laurie Brett (born 28 March 1969[1]) is a Scottish actress, currently known for her role as Jane Beale in EastEnders, in which she has starred since 2004.
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Brett was born in Hamilton, Scotland,[4] and studied at the London Studio Centre. She is fluent in Spanish. She has participated in various charity events.
Brett was in a relationship with a musician named Dave Evans for six years. The couple met on a blind date in 2001 and got engaged; however, they split in 2007 before the wedding. Laurie told the Sunday Mirror, "It's an amicable split and we remain good friends."[5]
Brett speaks with a Scottish accent, however, on moving to London, she adopted a London accent - fitting for her EastEnders role.[4] She says she has always had a "knack" with accents[6] and has admitted that speaking with a Scottish accent becomes handy when people ask if she is Jane from EastEnders. She has admitted that when asked that question she speaks with a Scottish accent and people then assume they are mistaken.[7]
Brett has admitted to being a bit of a wild child in her youth, drinking heavily for 20 years.[8]
Brett revealed in January 2011 that she is pregnant with her first child.[3] In June it was announced that she had given birth to a baby girl, Erin Anne Millie Brett.[9]
Brett has admitted that she was a self-starter in the entertainment business. As a child she had ballet lessons but was later forced to give this up due to a knee injury. At age 17 she left Scotland to attend drama school in London, whilst at drama school she earned a living working as a bouncer at a club, an usherette and also as a stage technician.[6] However Brett wished to act full time and for this an Equity Card was required.[6] The Stage newspaper offered one to actors signing up with Circo Magico Italiano so Brett signed to join.[4]
She has toured with Circo Magico Italiano, a travelling circus, in Mexico and Central America, played a prostitute in the London production of the musical Les Misérables (her singing and dancing skills have made her a regular in the musical theatre), starred in fringe theatre productions and she has appeared in the UK Tour of The Rocky Horror Show as Magenta, starring alongside Jason Donovan as Frank.[6] She has appeared in the musical Smokey Joe's Cafe.
Brett made her television debut in London's Burning (as an office girl) in 1992. She has appeared in several television advertisements, including most notably Learn Direct Scotland commercials.
Brett has made appearances on The Bill, My Hero, Family Affairs. It was when she was performing in Les Misérables that she was spotted by EastEnders casting director Kat Collins .[4]
She made her first appearance in EastEnders in June 2004, at which time the character was known as Jane Collins. She initially signed a three-year contract, and in 2010 she signed a further one-year contract.[6] She also appears as Jane in the 2010 spin-off series EastEnders: E20.
Brett has made various television appearances in aid of charity. She participated in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 telethon appeals for Children in Need where she sang alongside the rest of the EastEnders cast. In the 2008 appeal, she was cast as Mary Poppins. She also participated in the 2010 telethon appeal for Children in Need where she appeared as Jane in the EastEnders and Coronation Street crossover episode "East Street". On 19 February 2010 Brett appeared on The Weakest Link alongside her co-stars and former co-stars, Adam Woodyatt, Laila Morse, Larry Lamb, Todd Carty, Ricky Groves, John Partridge, John Altman and Charlie G. Hawkins. She won and donated her winnings to Breast Cancer campaign and Alzheimers Research.