EastEnders’ Kellie Bright gives fans update after emotional message about son

EastEnders star Kellie Bright has provided fans with a positive update, after sharing an emotional message online about her son, who has special educational needs (SEN).

The actress, who plays Linda Carter in the BBC soap, shared in November that she struggled to get an Educational Health Care (EHC) assessment for her son, and opened up about the long and difficult process.

Her application was initially denied and she had to appeal before an assessment was finally accepted.

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However, Bright has now posted another video on Instagram, giving fans and other parents a much more positive update.

“I’ve been meaning to post a little update on our SEN/ECHP journey here for a while,” she began. “And I’m thrilled to share with you – thrilled is such a lame word for how amazing this is – that as of 6th February 2024, my son has officially been granted his Educational Health Care Plan.

“Once the assessment started, it was a pretty quick process because all of a sudden I felt like people were on our side and I didn’t have to fight as much as I did. (During a meeting) we were in a room together and I suddenly realized that everyone was on my son’s side, and that was huge.

“It’s weird to post this because I know there are a lot of families out there who are still trying to get their ticket, and they’re fighting for their lives. I feel incredibly lucky to have it, which is not normal. I shouldn’t feel lucky, but I do. I know it’s not a winning ticket, but it helps, it really helps.”

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Bright also took the time in his message to make a promise to those going through a similar situation with their own children.

She said: “The reaction to my last video has been so overwhelming and amazing, and kind of surprised me, to be honest. But I promise I’m going to keep talking about it and I’m going to be much, much louder – really louder.”

“I promise to continue this conversation and use my voice so that we are all heard. And I really admire those parents who are fighting, who are raising awareness and refusing to be silenced. So I am here, I am listening to you, I am hearing you, I am seeing you, I am one of you and I am with you.”

EastEnders The show airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. The show is also available on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes are shown as early as 6am before their TV broadcast.

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