Bawdy goings-on in an Eastenders off-set Episode...

Eastenders in Spain 1995 Part 1



A real treat here, with a full episode in 7 parts of an Eastenders 1995 special, special as they're on holiday in sunny Espana. Featuuring the Mitchell Brothers, Phil and Grant (Steve McFadden & Gary Kemp), with more hair, and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), son of Frank, with even more hair. This is an exclusive focus on 6 of the cast members also overlooking David Wicks (Michael French), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and the the lesser-known Steve Elliot. The episode begins set on the plane towards Terremolinos, Spain.

Basically, the episode sets the standard for the the recent phenomonom (at the time) for badly behaved Brits abroad, labelled the "18-30 club" culture or the "Loaded Generation", primarily to get laid with the opposite sex. Maybe many times over on one holiday. However, this is of course a family show, so a much more tamer version of what you see on reality/voyeur/fly-on-wall late night programmes.

So what were the background to the characters back then? Ricky and Bianca are having a rough ride in their relationship, but shortly marry after the holiday. The Mitchell brothers do some searching for their little sister Sam, who had been missing from the soap for 2 years, after leaving Walford after her marriage break-up with Ricky, and being a constant pain in the neck. It was really because the soap's ratings were falling and the producers were bringing back some of the bigger characters. David Wicks history was Bianca was a weird one. After entering the soap in 1993, he made a pass at the young Bianca, but both later find out, from Carol Jackson, that they are father and daughter. Steve Elliot was played by Mark Monero from 1991-1996. The character did not have an on-screen family, and was known for being unlucky with women. He had recently bought a slice of income from the Bridge Street Cafe, which put him into a business rivalry with Ian Beale.