PATSY Palmer’s return to EastEnders has been foiled again by the coronavirus travel ban as the star remains in her Malibu home.
The 48-year-old stormed off Good Morning Britain this morning after she was labelled as an “addict to wellness guru” on screen.
Patsy, who has played Bianca in the BBC One soap since 1993, appeared via video link from her American home as she relaxed on the sofa.
The actress abruptly ended her interview on British TV this morning, joking she had done “a Piers Morgan” by storming off mid interview.
She simply told hosts Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid she “didn’t want to do” the interview as she was labelled an “addict” by the show.
“I don’t even want to look at what it says at the bottom of the screen, so I’m going to switch off, do a real Piers Morgan, and just say that it’s not okay to have ‘addict to wellness guru’ at the bottom of the screen,” Patsy explained.
As the hosts tried to apologise, she continued: “I had [my issues] years ago, they were talked about by me many, many years ago and it’s over so I’m not going to talk about it.”
Patsy has previously been open about her 20-year addiction to drug and booze in the past, having admitting to first drinking alcohol at the age of eight.
In 2010, she proudly revealed that she had been clean of drugs and alcohol since September 2004 and took to social media after GMB to clarify she did not want to speak about her “old self”.
“I have gotten over my old self years ago and no longer wish to discuss it when I only have 5 minutes air time,” Patsy explained.
“I was supposed to be on there to talk about a new business that I created that couldn’t be more opposite to that headline.”
Patsy was supposed to return to the UK last year to take on her iconic role as Bianca in EastEnders, but was stuck in the US where she lives with her husband Richard Merkell and their three children.
Digital Spy reported that the star’s return, which was teased last February, didn’t end up happening due to the Covid pandemic.
The actress was due to start filming as the character last year, and told Loose Women audiences in October that “everything was set” to go ahead when the second UK lockdown derailed her plans.
Alongside Ricky actor Sid Owen, Patsy revealed she wanted to “be back working” on the show but “doesn’t know” if it will now go ahead.
“I would like to work with Sid again, but I don’t know – I haven’t watched EastEnders so I don’t know how they are doing it now,” she explained.
“I mean I was there just before lockdown and I had to leave. There was a little bit I was going to do but I didn’t end up doing it and I don’t know how they’re doing it now because I haven’t seen it.”
The star has previously rejoined the cast of EastEnders three times, in 1993, 2008 and 2019.
While her storyline was kept under wraps, it’s thought that it may have been something to do with Whitney Dean’s (Shona McGarty) trial over the death of Leo King.
With UK lockdown rules loosening, it’s currently unknown as to whether Patsy will be back on Albert Square.
Fans will have to keep their eye out for her return.
