EastEnders legend ‘breaks silence’ after four decades: ‘A big thank you’ | Soaps

One of EastEnders’ most iconic characters has finally spoke after 40 years in Albert Square, as he launched his own Instagram account.

Jane Slaughter, 63, played the silent Tracey in the BBC soap from the very first episode and became a real fan favorite in that time.

Tracey is, of course, one of many named supporting characters who help cement Walford as a real-life suburb in East London.

Originally operating a flower stall at Bridge Street Market, she was hired as a waitress at The Queen Vic by Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) in 1989. Her presence at the pub often helps explain other characters’ absence from work, allowing them to be at the center of the drama elsewhere.

Now, almost forty years after her first appearance, actress Jane has joined social media.

Alongside a video of herself sunbathing outside, she wrote: “Breaking the silence. My first time on Instagram, so I just wanted to thank everyone for their kindness and support over the years.

‘And yes, it’s me…’

In the clip, a male voice can be heard saying, “Why are you laughing?”

‘Because of course it’s me,’ Jane replies, checking that the account is hers.

‘I’m the real Jane Slaughter,’ she continues, ‘I’d like to say hello and thank you for all these years of loyalty and I’m saying a big hello and thank you.’

Very little is known about the character due to her limited dialogue, although over the years we have discovered some knowledge about our mysterious Trace.

We know that she is married, has children and grandchildren and, in 2003, had a one-night stand with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman).

Two years later, she was hit in the head with a crowbar by Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and has resigned or been fired from The Vic many times over the years.

On one such occasion, residents protested Woody Woodward’s (Lee Ryan) decision to fire her.

She also mentioned that she once slept with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), and he was the best she ever had!

In 2010, the late Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) gave Walford survival tips in the E20 spin-off series, one of which was to avoid talking to Tracey, as ‘she goes on, and on, and on, and on.’

At the same time, she told Digital Spy: ‘I think it would be wrong to suddenly turn her into this talking, all-singing, all-dancing person with a full family and surname – it wouldn’t make sense. That’s why it was done so well.

We love you Jane, keep doing the great work!

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay up to date with all the soaps on our homepage.

MORE: Celebrity Race Across The World star banned from driving after ‘crashing into several cars’

MORE: This BBC nuclear horror left me traumatized in 1984 – I never recovered

MORE: EastEnders’ sordid scandal as legend’s affair is discovered – by his own ex

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.