EastEnders' Patsy Kensit reveals failed audition years before joining the show

EastEnders newcomer Patsy Kensit has revealed that she had unsuccessfully auditioned to join the soap years ago, before landing the role of Emma Harding.

During an interview on tonight's (March 15) episode of The One Show, the actress discussed her long-held desire to join the soap — even after she failed to secure a part previously.

"This was a job that I've always wanted, to be on the show. I auditioned years ago for a part and didn't get the role. I was gutted," Patsy explained.

Patsy is currently playing the estranged mother of Lola Pearce, who has arrived in the square to seemingly rebuild her relationship with her terminally ill daughter.

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Describing how she was offered the role of Emma, Patsy added: "And then, suddenly, it came back to me and I got offered Emma.

"I got to work with the wonderful Danielle Harold who plays Lola and she's most brilliant and we had the best time together... And I'm a super fan!"

The actress also revealed that her admiration of the long-running show had led her to become starstruck be the cast during her filming stint, particularly after meeting Phil Mitchell actor Steve McFadden.

BBC

While Patsy didn't share the details of the role she had auditioned for, The Sun reported that she auditioned to play Dirty Den's wife Chrissie Watts, with the part ultimately going to Doctor Who star Tracy-Ann Oberman.

Meanwhile, the actress recently confirmed that she had completed filming for the role, having only joined the soap for a brief stint.

"Cannot thank my amazing cast members at the simply awesome experience I’ve had working on @eastenders for being so kind and loving to me," she wrote on her Instagram account on February 13.

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.