ACTRESS Lindsey Coulson is no stranger to TV screens, with a solid soap career and various roles.
Her latest TV role sees her join Waterloo Road to play the new headteacher Dame Stella Drake who is described as 'a powerful living legend'.
Yet most BBC viewers will know her for her many years in Albert Square as part of EastEnders cast, where she played Carol Jackson.
In her time on the BBC soap she tackled heavy storylines including breast cancer and heartbreak.
She joined the soap in 1993 before leaving in 1997 and then later returning in 1999.
In 2008 she devastated soap fans as she revealed she would 'never' return to Watford, but she later returned in 2010 where she stayed until October 2015.
Away from EastEnders, Lindsey has also had roles in The Bay, New Tricks, The Street and Doctor Who.
Away from her soap and TV roles, Lindsey is married to husband Harry Harris who she wed in 2002.
Lindsey met Harry via a mutual connection, as he's the brother of Lindsey's co-star and on-screen daughter Patsy Palmer who played Bianca Jackson.
Prior to being loved up with Harry, Lindsey was married to showbusiness agent Philip Chard.
However the marriage was hit with infidelity rumours in 1996, as it was alleged Lindsey had an affair with a co-star from EastEnders.
It was alleged that Chard had uncovered an affair between Lindsey and Michael French, who played David Wicks.
Loose Women legend joining Waterloo Road as she returns to actress roots
The rumours have always been strongly denied by Lindsey who in 1998 explained: "Because our characters had an affair, they tried to make it a real life one and that was nonsense.
"He was a really good friend and we started on the show at the same time.
"Apparently two people of the opposite sex can't go out together without it being an affair, which is a shame."
Speaking about her 23 year marriage to Harry, she told Good Housekeeping: "I think I love him more now than I did when I met him – just in terms of having grown really well together.
"It’s not hard work, although relationships can be. I was lucky enough to meet somebody who’s on the same page as me."
As the actress is ready to get her teeth into her new role in Waterloo Road, she's disappointed EastEnders fans who might hope she'll one day return as Carol.
However the actress has been firm that she doesn't see herself reprising the role.
In 2020, she said in an interview: "I don’t miss EastEnders at all.
"I used to say, ‘Never say never,’ but actually I feel like I’ve exhausted the character.
"I don’t feel like there’s anything more that I would want to explore.
"I don’t want to work at that level any more. It’s incredible the amount they have to do and learn – I don’t want it.
"I’m having such lovely experiences, and life is too short."
