Actor Patsy Palmer once revealed that she gets “confused” herself between her real name and the one she’s known by. She has previously confirmed her real name after having adopted a different moniker for her career decades ago.
The EastEnders cast member, 52 – who’s best known for her role as Bianca Jackson on the BBC soap opera – was born Julie Anne Harris. Her stage name, Patsy Palmer, is understood to have been inspired by the names of her mother Patricia Harris, whose maiden name was Palmer.
Patsy’s real name has attracted renewed attention recently ahead of Celebrity Big Brother returning tonight. She is rumoured to be part of the line-up for the new series of the ITV show following speculation over it last month.
It comes after Patsy confirmed that she’s known by a stage name whilst on This Morning in 2019. She also revealed to Holly Willoughby, now 44, and Phillip Schofield, now 63, at the time that her name had changed to Julie Merkell after having married her husband Richard Merkell back in 2000.
Speaking about Patsy having moved abroad, Holly suggested that people “don’t know” who she is in the US. Patsy agreed and said that in Malibu, where she lives with her family, she’s known by her married name rather than her stage name.
Confirming that her first name is actually Julie, she said: “They don’t know me [in the US] and I have another name.” Patsy continued in the interview: “My name’s Julie really, so I thought ‘I’m gonna get back to calling myself my real name.'”
The actor however went on to tease that even she has been known to get “confused” over the situation. She said: “But I actually get so confused myself that sometimes I’ll say Patsy, sometimes I’ll say Julie. And it’s like … I confuse myself.” She then added: “So now in Malibu they call me Patsy Julie.”
Patsy told the hosts: “[Julie Anne Harris] was my name. My name’s Julie Merkell [now] – my married name.” Phil teased in the discussion: “How many name’s have you got?” Patsy commented: “I’ve got so many names and then Bianca.”
The interview has now resurfaced amid speculation that Patsy will be entering the Big Brother house tonight. She’s among the rumoured housemates this year for the second series of ITV’s revival of Celebrity Big Brother.
Presenter Angellica Bell, actor Mickey Rourke and drag artist Danny Beard will reportedly be taking part in the new series alongside Patsy. Other rumoured housemates include Coronation Street cast member Jack P Shepherd.
ITV has yet to confirm the line-up for the upcoming series though. Previously, amid speculation over the line-up, a spokesperson for the show told the Mirror: “Any names suggested for Celebrity Big Brother are purely speculation.”
Celebrity Big Brother returns tonight at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. The launch will be followed by Late & Live from 10.30pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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