Thank heavens Lorna Fitzgerald found fame as an actress - shed have made her familys life unbearable if she hadnt. Lorna, who plays Abi Branning in EastEnders, says actings been her goal ever since she can remember. I was every relatives nightmare - Id perform plays for them, she says. Lorna landed her dream role at the age of ten - six years after her ambition began +2 Lorna landed her dream role at the age of ten - six years after her ambition began At first its cute, but it would get to the point where Mum would say, Why dont you go upstairs? She took me to a theatre show when I was about four, and I was in awe of everyone on stage. So then Mum sent me to an acting school and it went from there. And now after eight years in Albert Square shes involved in her biggest storyline to date, as the killer of tragic Lucy Beale is at large - and not even the EastEnders cast know who it is. But if Lorna did somehow find out, keeping it a secret wouldnt be a problem. For even after learning shed won her role on the soap when she was only ten, she managed to keep the news from her school friends. I was called out of class and my mum told me in front of the head, recalls Lorna, of the moment she found out she was about to be a major child TV star. It blew my mind. EastEnders is so big, and as a ten-year-old it was daunting, but I was so excited. But I couldnt tell my friends for about three months! I liked keeping the secret, though. I kept thinking, I know something you dont! Lorna says that a highlight of being in EastEnders is working with June Brown who plays her on-screen grandmother - Dot Cotton After being introduced in 2006 with on-screen dad Max, mum Tanya and older sister Lauren, Lorna, now 18, has gone from strength to strength as Abi. Shes been tipped as one to watch by the critics as her character has enjoyed the ups and downs of the soap roller coaster: Abis been hit by Deano Wickss car, watched her parents marriage unravel, discovered Trina Johnsons dead body, struggled with Laurens drinking and had an on-off relationship with Jay Brown. Her hard work was recognised in 2012 when she won the Best Young Performance gong at the British Soap Awards. And now shes in the thick of the action as the hunt for Lucy Beales killer continues. Anyone could be in the frame for her murder, says Abi. It could be me, but were all in the dark. Thats why theres such a buzz. Everyone wants to find out. The challenge of playing a killer would be great. But then, if it were me, Id probably have to leave. Although relishing her prominent role on the soap, Lorna says she struggled with the attention that comes with being in EastEnders. Its fine now Im used to it, but at first it was scary because Id be shopping and strangers would say stuff to me, she admits. And whats next? I love it here. Ive been very lucky, she says. But they could say Im leaving at any time. My dream is to win an Oscar. You never know, I could be the first person to win one in Walford - EastEnders: The Movie!
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:12:51 +0000
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