EastEnders star Perry Fenwick, best known for playing Billy Mitchell in the BBC soap, is related to a famous face
EastEnders’ Billy Mitchell star has a famous cousin in real life who fans will recognise (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Perry Fenwick has become synonymous with EastEnders through his portrayal of Billy Mitchell – but there’s another celebrity lurking in his family tree.
The star rose to prominence back in 1998 when she joined the iconic BBC show as Billy, cousin of the formidable Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). It is safe to say that he quickly won audiences across the country.
His character has been central to several major plot lines over the years. Whether it’s his love story with Honey (Emma Barton) or the heartbreaking death of his daughter Lola (Danielle Harold), Billy’s journey through Walford has been anything but dull.
Currently, the drama continues to unfold as Bea (Ronni Ancona) has developed an unhealthy fixation on Billy’s spouse Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) since her arrival in Walford last January.
As Bea’s envy intensified, she even managed to infiltrate the Mitchell household and fraudulently acquired a credit card under Honey’s identity. In Thursday’s (June 18) episode, Bea overheard Billy confiding in Alfie (Shane Ritchie) about a disastrous romantic night, reports the mirror.
Seizing the opportunity to cause friction between the loved-up pair, Bea slyly invites Honey out for drinks and begins to plant the seeds of doubt.
Beyond the ongoing BBC drama, however, it seems Perry isn’t the only famous face in his lineage. He shares second cousin ties with performer and vocalist Georgina Hagen.
Georgia has made her mark primarily through her portrayals of Rebecca Chalmers in the CBBC program The Story of Tracy Beaker back in 2005, and as Lauren Waters in ITV’s 2008 musical series Britannia High. In addition to television, she has also graced the West End stage and participated in several musical productions.
As for Perry, he was previously married to Kroningsgade star Angela Lonsdale. In a romantic gesture, Perry proposed using pebbles arranged on a beach before tying the knot in 2005, and went on to welcome three children together – Lucy, Isabella and Jayden.
However, their relationship ended in 2010. A representative for the couple released a statement saying: “Perry Fenwick and Angela Lonsdale have sadly separated after five years of marriage. They will not be making any further comment.”
A source close to the couple revealed to the Mirror at the time: “They just ran out of love. They had a series of heart-to-hearts and decided to call it a day. No one else is involved. They are determined to remain friends. It’s sad but they’re trying to stay positive and their families are pulling together.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 19.30 on BBC One.
