The offspring of EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer have followed up on their mother’s success by establishing themselves as big names in their own right in America.
Her two sons have found fame in the fashion and acting industries, while her daughter has just signed to a top modelling agency, following the family’s move to Malibu, California in 2014.
Patsy and her cab driver husband Richard Merkell moved across the pond to start a new life four years ago, and it seems the move has hugely benefited their offspring.
Worlds away from Walford! The children of EastEnders star Patsy Palmer (above on May 15 in London) are following in her famous footsteps – as they have all carved successful careers in the States
Success: Her sons Charley, 25, and Fenton (L-R) work as an actor and model, while daughter Emilia (centre) has just signed to a modelling agency following the family’s move to Malibu in 2014
Their son Fenton Markell, 17, is currently carving a career in the fashion industry with model management company The Dragonfly Agency.
Proving to be running in high-profile circles, the teen was even rumoured to be dating Kaia Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, last year.
Fenton met his fellow model, 16, after Patsy struck up a friendship with the iconic supermodel while in LA, according to The Sun.
A source said: ‘It’s very early days but they have grown close and seem very happy together. You wouldn’t think it likely for sunny LA and rainy Walford to mix together.’
In front of the camera: Her son Fenton Markell, 17, (L) is currently carving a career in the fashion industry with model management company The Dragonfly Agency
Love is in the air: Proving to be running in high-profile circles, the teen was even rumoured to be dating Kaia Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, last year (pictured together last week)
Good genes: Patsy and husband Richard are also parents to a daughter Emilia (R), who has just signed to the same modelling agency as Fento
Patsy’s pride! How the soap star’s offspring have hit the big time
Charley Palmer Rothwell with a guest at a London premiere on September 3, 2015
Charley Palmer Rothwell, 25:
The offspring of Patsy Palmer and her boxer ex, Alfie Rothwell, Charley is an actor who has starred in hit films including Darkest Hour and Dunkirk.
While Charley chose to remain in the UK, Patsy recently admitted she is more than proud of him for finding such success as an actor.
‘I should trade places with Charley!’, she said last year. ‘He’s 25 now, he’s a man. He’s done incredible things. He’s a movie star.’
Fenton Merkell seen in an Instagram photo
Fenton Markell, 17:
The eldest of Palmer’s children she shares with her cab driver husband Richard Merkell.
Fenton is a model for The Dragonfly Agency.
He was rumoured to be dating Kaia Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, last year.
Fenton met his fellow model, 16, after Patsy struck up a friendship with the iconic supermodel while in LA.
Emilia Merkell on Instagram
Emilia Markell, 16:
She has just signed to the same modelling agency as Fenton, continuing on the family’s success in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Fenton posted this image of Emilia on Instagram(right) and she wrote as a comment: ‘Merkell way or no way.’
Clearly a popular figure in the modelling world, Fenton has also shared a number of Instagram snaps with Amelia Gray and Delilah Belle Hamlin – the daughters of Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna and actor Harry.
The pair are also parents to a daughter Emilia, 16, who has just signed to the same modelling agency as Fenton, and a seven-year-old son Bertie.
While one son is a model, Patsy’s oldest son is an actor, and has starred in the likes of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman.
Stardom: While one son is a model, Patsy’s oldest son Charley (R) is an actor, and has starred in the likes of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman
Impressive: Charley Palmer Rothwell (above) also starred in Legend alongside Tom Hardy – before following more in his mother’s footsteps in British dramas Casualty and Our Girl
Charley Palmer Rothwell, who Patsy shares with boxer ex Alfie Rothwell, also starred in Legend alongside Tom Hardy – before following more in his mother’s footsteps in British dramas Casualty and Our Girl.
While Charley chose to remain in the UK, Patsy recently admitted she is more than proud of him for finding such success as an actor.
‘I should trade places with Charley!’, she said last year. ‘He’s 25 now, he’s a man. He’s done incredible things. He’s a movie star.’
Patsy’s offspring have found success in the States after they moved to LA in 2014, following her final appearance in EastEnders that year.
End of an era: Patsy’s offspring have found success in the States after they moved to LA in 2014, following her final appearance in EastEnders that year (above)
Patsy Palmer and Richard Merkell attend the ‘A Season In France’ launch event hosted by Jasper Conran in association with Ciroc Vodka at The Conran Shop Chelsea on May 1, 2014, in London
Speaking about her new life in April, she told Loose Women: ‘We just decided that we wanted to go. We said we either go now or we don’t go. My kids are big tennis players and I wanted the outdoor life for them.
‘We were nearly in Sydney ten years ago. I did a film there and I really wanted to stay there but we came back. My kids are really happy. It is a really beautiful life.’
Patsy now works as a DJ in LA, and confessed she enjoys the quieter lifestyle, as few people recognise her from the famous BBC soap in the US.
She said on ITV’s Lorraine last year: ‘It was a little bit strange getting used to the idea you’re not ‘on show’ everywhere you walk about, you don’t have to be ready to speak to someone about Eastenders.
‘You can go out and just completely be yourself, it’s kind of weird, it is something you probably need therapy for, though I haven’t gone down that route since I’ve been here but everyone does.’
Happy: Speaking about her new life in April, she said: ‘My kids are really happy. It is a really beautiful life’ (pictured with husband Richard, seven-year-old son Bertie, and Fenton)