Jean Slater 
 played by Gillian Wright

Fragile Jean is fighting an ongoing battle against mental illness. Daughter Stacey has always been there, but son Sean has deep-rooted issues with his mother.

First appearance: 16.12.2004

Marital Status: widowed

Address: Queen Vic, 46 Albert Square

Occupation: Chef at Queen Vic

Most likely to say

Why don't you visit me more often?

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Jean Slater

Character profile

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Quirky Jean always aims to please. She’s a kind-hearted woman who’s better off kept away from the kitchen, as her cooking leaves a lot to be desired! She fights an on-going battle with bipolar disorder, but she strives to be ‘normal’ and ‘belong’.

She’s a romantic who likes to see people smiling, so working on the local flower stall fulfils her and makes her feel wanted.

It’s not been easy bringing up “Stacey Slater ice skater” and tearaway Sean, but she wins a Blue Peter badge for top effort.

Family

Stacey Slater thumbnail

Stacey Slater

Daughter

Brian Slater thumbnail

Brian Slater

Husband

Roxy Mitchell thumbnail

Roxy Mitchell

Daughter-in-law

Bradley Branning thumbnail

Bradley Branning

Son-in-law

Sean Slater thumbnail

Sean Slater

Son

Love

Norman

Norman

Jean's heart was left in tatters when indecisive Norman chose childhood sweetheart Pat, over her for his affections.

Watch video clips

19 August 2011
Shocked to find blood in the Queen Vic toilets.

28 July 2011
Goes to war with Pat in a quest to become the pearly queen.

29 March 2011
Surprises a delighted Kat by moving back to the Queen Vic.

28 Dec 2010
Decides to section herself for her own safety.

26 Dec 2010
Strugging with Stacey's departure and being asked by Ronnie to become her baby's godmother to cheer her up.

05 Oct 2010
Overhearing Billy's insulting comments about her.

04 Oct 2010
Kissing Billy after he comes to her rescue on a night out in R&R.

23 June 2010
Visiting Stacey in the hospital on the day that baby Lily is born.

19 Feb 2010
Finding out that Bradley has died.

18 Feb 2010
Witnessing Stacey's marriage to Bradley.

11 Jan 2010
Finding out that Stacey is pregnant.

09 Oct 2009
Breaking down as she sees Stacey being driven away in a squad car to be sectioned.

08 Oct 2009
Running into Dr Al's office and telling him that Stacey needs to be sectioned.

15 May 2009
Having to face the truth about Stacey's illness.

27 Mar 2009
After failing to get a supermarket job, starts a new career as a make-up lady.

05 Jan 2009
Being told by Stacey that Sean's gone for good, after Stacey returned baby Amy to Roxy.

11 Jun 2008
Meeting her love interest, Ted, in the Vic.

01 Nov 2007
Performing a reading at Stacey and Bradley's wedding.

05 Jul 2007
Giving her blessing to Bradley as he planned his proposal to Stacey.

23 Nov 2006
Becoming re-acquainted with Sean after being estranged for several years.

16 Jun 2006
Moving into a new flat and getting back in touch with Stacey.

09 Dec 2005
Attempting suicide and being sectioned.

01 Nov 2004
Being admitted to hospital suffering from bi-polar disorder, so Stacey arrives on the Square and moves in with Charlie Slater.

Actor profile

About Gillian Wright

Gillian gained a BA in Theatre, English and Dance at Bretton Hall, West Yorkshire.

Gillian is a co-founder of Pilot Theatre, currently in residence at York’s Theatre Royal.

An established theatre actress, Gillian is also a visiting director and workshop leader at drama schools, universities and with young people with special needs.

She has choreographed horses at Warwick Castle, bankers for the Lord Mayor’s Parade, barges on the River Thames and wheelchairs in Tonbridge!

A passionate cook and gardener, Gillian also enjoys watching arthouse, indie and foreign films, and is interested in arts and crafts.

Her dislikes include phone menu systems, bananas, snakes, plug-in air fresheners and "diversion signs that just stop"!

Star sign: Sagittarius

Eye colour: Brown

Height: 1.62

First appearance: 16.12.2004

Her TV credits feature many top drama shows, including Coronation Street, The Bill, Silent Witness, Holby City, Dalziel and Pascoe and Heartbeat.

Jill Halfpenny played her daughter in comedy ‘Jumping the Waves’, which opened the award-winning Arc Theatre.

She appeared in the 2003 film Calendar Girls as Eddie’s (George Costigan) girlfriend.

She’s no stranger to kids' TV, having featured in award-winning "Sir Gadabout, the Worst Knight in the Land".

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Derek Branning

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Tyler Moon

Tyler Moon

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