03 August 2023 , 15:58
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Zoe Slater is undeniably one of the EastEnders' most memorable characters - and her iconic moments have since been remembered by fans long after she bid farewell to Walford.
The soap actress - played by Michelle Ryan - was at the centre of explosive storylines in the early 2000s, which included her heated affair with Den Watts - that resulted in her pregnancy - and her estranged relationship with her big sister Kat Slater, who is in fact Zoe's real mother. Zoe was also embroiled in an unforgettable revenge plot against ex-lover Dirty Den, played by Leslie Grantham, with his wife Chrissie and their best friend Sam Mitchell.
Michelle was best known for her "You ain't my mother" scene (BBC)Their evil plan ended with Zoe seemingly killing Den in the Queen Vic after he attacked Chrissie. However, when Zoe leaves his corpse behind, Den regains consciousness until Chrissie ultimately kills him for good. Albert Square proved all too problematic for Zoe, who eventually decided to leave her home for a fresh start in Ibiza. In reality, Ryan, now 39, parted ways from the soap in 2005 to pursue bigger roles in her acting career.
Speaking to the Daily Record she said: “I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show but the door is closed. I've always taken chances. I think that's how you progress – by stepping out and doing different things.
Michelle has gone on to land a string of successful acting jobs (Channel 4)"I really do like my freedom and jumping from job to job. I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role." Since her time on EastEnders, Michelle lived up to her dreams - as she managed to land roles in major Hollywood movies.
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She starred in Hollywood movies 4.3.2.1 as well as The Man Inside, Cockneys vs Zombies and Girl Walks Into A Bar. Michelle has also had roles in TV shows Jekyll, Merlin, Doctor Who, Death in Paradise and the American show Bionic Woman, but she now stays out of the limelight and seemingly doesn't have social media. In her personal life, Zoe dated Hollywood legend Jason Segel - who is best known for his roles in movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked-Up, and Bad Teacher.
Michelle and Jason dated for a month back in 2009, before the pair split, and Segel struck up a romance with Alexis Mixter.