Vicki Michelle reveals she fluffed her lines five times as she made her debut on EastEnders

Vicki Michelle revealed she was so nervous to make her EastEnders debut that she fluffed one of her lines five times 

The actress, 72, joined the BBC soap’s cast as Jo Cotton – ex-wife of Rocky, played by Brian Conley.

Despite Vicki’s long career as an actress and film producer, the star revealed she was very nervous to join the soap and often forgot her lines.

‘It was scary going on set for the first time. Even though I’ve been in the business for 50 years it was still daunting and you do get nervous. I fluffed one of my lines five times,’ she said.

Vicki’s character Jo married Rocky 25 years ago, but he is now engaged to Kathy Beale – played by Gillian Taylforth.

New role: Vicki Michelle revealed she was so nervous to make her EastEnders debut that she fluffed one of her lines five times

‘He and Gillian made me feel like family. Brian texted me afterwards, saying it was lovely working together and that he was so pleased I had got the part,’ Vicki said in an interview with the Daily Mirror on Monday.

The star – who rose to fame as Yvette Carte-Blanche in hit 1980s comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo! – explained the great relationships with the two co-stars helped her overcoming the tension on set.

Apart from fluffing lines, Vicki easily slipped in the role as she was raised on East End delicacies like jellied eels and winkles.

She admitted she feels at home in Walford as she spent a lot of time in East End as a kid – and picked up the accent.

Vicki explained: ‘I’m a Cockney girl at heart. My dad was from the East End and a right Cockney, so I didn’t have to worry about the accent on EastEnders.’

Vicki also admitted she was always into EastEnders as she used to watch it with her dad the whole time.

It comes after Rocky Cotton’s chequered past looks set to catch up with him in last week’s EastEnders, as he makes a shocking confession to his fiancée Kathy Beale.

In last episode, Rocky and Kathy kickstart their wedding plans, but he is forced to admit that he got married 25 years ago and they never got divorced. #

The shock twist will set the stage for the arrival of Rocky’s wife Jo – as he is horrified to see his wife in the Square and she barges into No45 and reveals her identity to Kathy.

Could Rocky’s second marriage be over before the ink has dried on the first?

Pals: The star - who rose to fame as Yvette Carte-Blanche in hit 1980s comedy 'Allo 'Allo! - explained the great relationships with the two co-stars (pictured) helped her

Pals: The star – who rose to fame as Yvette Carte-Blanche in hit 1980s comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo! – explained the great relationships with the two co-stars (pictured) helped her

Twist: It comes after Rocky Cotton's chequered past looks set to catch up with him in last week's EastEnders, as he makes a shocking confession to his fiancée Kathy Beale

Twist: It comes after Rocky Cotton’s chequered past looks set to catch up with him in last week’s EastEnders, as he makes a shocking confession to his fiancée Kathy Beale

Rocky grows concerned that his past will catch up with him as he and Kathy prepare to meet the Vicar to discuss their upcoming nuptials.

Back at home, Rocky struggles to contain his guilt as he overhears Kathy gushing to Bobby about her second chance at love.

Rocky retreats to the backyard but he’s interrupted by a concerned Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) who is stunned when Rocky reveals he got married 25 years ago and they never got divorced…

Sonia is disgusted to learn about Rocky’s secret, and gives him an ultimatum – tell Kathy by the end of the day or she will.

Rocky heads home to meet with Kathy and the Vicar where he continues to lie about his past.

Sonia shares her disdain for Rocky to Reiss who manages to convince Sonia to take a more sympathetic view.

Panicked that she may have ruined everything, she rushes over to No.45 on a false pretence. Later, Reiss and Sonia strategise with Rocky about his predicament and he starts to feel more optimistic about the future.

Rocky enlists the help of Sonia, Reiss and Harvey to try and track down his wife, Jo but to no avail.

In the café, Freddie (Bobby Brazier) senses Reiss’ struggle and steps in and tracks Jo down within minutes… but when he learns about Rocky’s lies, Freddie heads to the car lot and takes his revenge.

Later Freddie tells Rocky that he tracked Jo down and gave her Kathy’s address and the soap lothario is horrified when he spots his wife approaching No.45 as she reveals her identity to Kathy

Kathy is stunned as Jo barges in to No.45 followed by a guilty Rocky and all hell breaks loose… could the wedding be off?

EastEnders airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.

What next? Kathy is stunned as Jo barges in to No.45 followed by a guilty Rocky and all hell breaks loose... could the wedding be off?

What next? Kathy is stunned as Jo barges in to No.45 followed by a guilty Rocky and all hell breaks loose… could the wedding be off?

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