EastEnders' original Janine Butcher ditched fame for a very different job

08 November 2023 , 08:02

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EastEnders’ original Janine Butcher (Image: Rebecca Michael/Youtube)

Janine Butcher is without a doubt one of the most iconic soap villains to grace our screens. The Eastenders started out life as a sweet little girl who would then go on the murder her hapless husband, Barry. But what many Albert Square fans don't realise is that the character has been played by three actors.

Charlie Brooks is the most recent star to take over the role when she joined the soap in 1999 and for many people is the one and only Janine, but two other actors helped created the fan favourite role. Rebecca Michael was the first to play Janine from 1989 to 1993 as a child actor but then made the tough decision to quit her role in the spotlight to focus on her studies.

Rebecca has pursued a career in marketing, management, and business. Her studies have paid off and she has now had an even moe glamorous career in marketing with roles around the globe, including Tokyo, Singapore, and the most recent, California. In 2019, she landed the impressive role of Google's director of global marketing.

Janine Butcher played by Alexia Demetriou and Charlie Brooks (Pic:BBC)

After Rebecca left the soap, Alexia Demetriou took over for three years from 1993 to 1996 until we met Janine we all know and love today when Charlie arrived as a teenager. Charlie was the perfect match for the role, having some of the biggest storylines and murders, one of the memorable ones killing husband Barry by pushing him off a cliff. The actor has won four soap awards, including villain of the year three times and best exit.

Charlie made the decision to quit Albert Square in 2004 but then returned permanently in December 2008. During her time away from the show, the 42 year old has competed in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2011 and then a year later won her season of I'm a Celebrity... Get me out of here. She has just managed to beat campmate and former Pussycat doll Ashley Roberts.

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Charlie Brooks has made Janine the iconic character she is today (BBC)

Janine has been married five times, her recent husband being Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, 46, who was killed off the soap after a rundown with his new wife. Mick has presumed to drowned and is lost at sea. Mick's death was even more tragic as he'd rushed into the sea to save his first wife, Linda, after realising Janine was bad news. Charlie, who plays Janine, said: "I’m still getting messages of hate actually about breaking up Mick and Linda."

Last year Eastenders confirmed the return of Janine's brother Ricky Butcher, played by Sid Owen, 51. On his return the actor said: "I’m delighted to be back at EastEnders. I can’t wait to see what Ricky Butcher has been up to these past few years and how he’s going to react to seeing some familiar faces including old flames. I’m excited to see the drama unfold." Chris, the soap's Executive Producer, added: "It is a great pleasure to welcome Sid back to the role of Ricky Butcher.

Serena Richards