List of minor EastEnders characters (1997)

The following is a list of minor characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1997, by order of first appearance.

Brenda Flaherty
Brenda Flaherty appeared in three offset episodes in 1997, which were set in the fictional Irish village, Kilmoneen. Brenda was the daughter-in-law of Pauline Fowler's long-lost sister Maggie, married to her son Eamonn, and mother to his children, Colette, Eamonn and Kylie.

She was sent to collect Pauline, Ian, Mark, Ruth, Martin and Lucy and take them to meet Maggie.

She was lazy and smelly, Mary said she needed a bath. She was too lazy to collect her son, Eamonn, from choir practice, and sent Martin and Colette to get him.

Family

 * Husband: Eamonn Flaherty
 * Son: Eamonn Flaherty Jr.
 * Daughters: Colette Flaherty, Kylie Flaherty

Colette Flaherty
Colette Flaherty appeared in a special series of episodes set in Ireland in 1997. She is the daughter of Eamonn and Brenda Flaherty and sister of Eamonn Flaherty Jr.

When Pauline Fowler discovered that she had a long-lost sister, she went to Ireland to meet her. Colette was the same age as her first cousin once removed, Pauline's son, Martin, and the pair hit it off. This was only a holiday romance however, as Martin left with his family the following week. Colette hasn't been seen or heard from since.

Family

 * Father: Eamonn Flaherty
 * Mother: Brenda Flaherty
 * Brother: Eamonn Flaherty Jr.
 * Sister: Kylie Flaherty
 * Grandfather: Sean Flaherty
 * Grandmother: Maggie Flaherty
 * Great grandfather: Albert Beale (deceased)
 * Great grandmother: Lou Beale (deceased)
 * Uncles: Conor Flaherty, John Flaherty, Tommy Flaherty
 * Great uncles: Ronnie Beale (deceased), Kenny Beale, Pete Beale (deceased), Harry Beale
 * Great aunts: Dora Beale, Pauline Fowler (deceased)
 * Great great great aunt: Dolly Beale (deceased)
 * Cousin: Mary Flaherty
 * First cousins once removed: Mark Fowler (deceased), Michelle Fowler, Martin Fowler, Elizabeth Beale, David Wicks, Ian Beale
 * Second cousins: Vicki Fowler, Mark Fowler Jr., Rebecca Miller, Bianca Jackson, Karen Wicks (deceased), Joe Wicks (deceased), Peter Beale, Lucy Beale, Bobby Beale
 * Second cousins once removed: Natasha Butcher (deceased), Liam Butcher
 * Second cousin three times removed: Nellie Ellis

Eamonn Flaherty
Eamonn Flaherty appeared during a special week of episodes set in Ireland, broadcast in 1997.

Pauline Fowler found out that her parents, Albert and Lou Beale had had another daughter who they had given up for adoption because she was born out of wedlock, so she tracked down her long-lost sister Maggie, who lived in Ireland. She took her two sons Mark and Martin, and daughter-in-law Ruth to Ireland to meet Maggie and her family.

Eamonn was Maggie's eldest son with her husband Sean, and brother to Conor. He has two children, Colette and Eamonn Jr. He was married to a woman named Brenda.

Family

 * Father: Sean Flaherty
 * Mother: Maggie Flaherty
 * Wife: Brenda Flaherty
 * Son: Eamonn Flaherty Jr.
 * Daughters: Colette Flaherty, Kylie Flaherty
 * Brothers: Conor Flaherty, John Flaherty, Tommy Flaherty
 * Grandfather: Albert Beale (deceased)
 * Grandmother: Lou Beale (deceased)
 * Uncles: Harry Beale, Ronnie Beale (deceased), Kenny Beale, Pete Beale (deceased)
 * Aunts: Dora Beale, Pauline Fowler (deceased)
 * Great great aunt: Dolly Beale (deceased)
 * Niece: Mary Flaherty
 * Cousins: Mark Fowler (deceased), Michelle Fowler, Martin Fowler, Elizabeth Beale, David Wicks, Ian Beale
 * First cousins once removed: Vicki Fowler, Mark Fowler Jr., Rebecca Miller, Bianca Jackson, Karen Wicks (deceased), Joe Wicks (deceased), Peter Beale, Lucy Beale, Bobby Beale
 * Second cousins: Natasha Butcher (deceased), Liam Butcher
 * Second cousin twice removed: Nellie Ellis

Gerry McCrae
Gerry McCrae was the shopkeeper in Kilmoneen, the Irish village where the Flaherty family lived.

Gerry was a married man, but was secretly having an affair with Mary Flaherty. He told Mary he was leaving his wife to be with her, but Mary ended their relationship publicly, and the local bartender, Patrick, heard their argument and told Mary's uncle, Eamonn. Eamonn couldn't wait to tell his violent, alcoholic father Sean, which led to Mary's departure from the village, scared of what Sean would do to her.

Maggie Flaherty
Margaret "Maggie" Flaherty (née Medeemey) was born illegitimately to Louise Medeemey before Lou's marriage to Albert Beale. She was given up for adoption, as she was born out of wedlock, and was sent to live with a family in Ireland.

In 1996, eight years after Lou died in 1988, her youngest daughter Pauline found a letter from Lou to her best friend Ethel, revealing that she had a secret daughter. Pauline and her family tried to find Maggie, and when they did, they visited her in Kilmoneen, Ireland.

Whilst in Ireland, Maggie's lecherous husband Sean flirted with Pauline, and was abusive to his granddaughter, Mary. When Pauline and her family left, taking Mary with them, she begged Maggie to leave Sean and return to Walford with her, but Maggie decided to stay and look after her vast family. This was the last time she was seen.

Family

 * Father: Albert Beale (deceased)
 * Mother: Lou Beale (deceased)
 * Brothers: Harry Beale, Kenny Beale, Ronnie Beale (deceased), Pete Beale (deceased)
 * Sisters: Dora Beale, Pauline Fowler (deceased)
 * Husband: Sean Flaherty
 * Sons: Tommy Flaherty, John Flaherty, Eamonn Flaherty, Conor Flaherty
 * Grandson: Eamonn Flaherty Jr.
 * Granddaughters: Mary Flaherty, Colette Flaherty, Kylie Flaherty
 * Nephews: David Wicks, Ian Beale, Mark Fowler, Martin Fowler
 * Nieces: Elizabeth Beale, Michelle Fowler
 * Great nephews: Joe Wicks, Peter Beale, Bobby Beale, Mark Fowler Jr.
 * Great nieces: Bianca Jackson, Karen Wicks (deceased), Lucy Beale, Rebecca Miller, Vicki Fowler
 * Great great nephew: Liam Butcher
 * Great great niece: Natasha Butcher (deceased)
 * Uncle: Terence Medeemey
 * Aunts: Liz Medeemey (deceased), Queenie Medeemey (deceased), Elsie Medeemey (deceased), Doris Miller (deceased), Flo Medeemey
 * Great aunt: Dolly Beale (deceased)
 * Second cousin once removed: Nellie Ellis

Sean Flaherty
Sean Flaherty appeared during a special week of episodes set in Ireland, broadcast in 1997. Sean was first seen as a lecherous drunk in a pub in the Irish village of Kilmoneen. Pauline Fowler and her family, Mark, Ruth, Martin, Ian and Lucy were visiting Ireland to meet Pauline's long-lost sister Maggie Flaherty. Sean leered over Pauline's breasts and tried to buy her a drink, only to be told to leave her alone by Ian. He later went over to Pauline and tried to touch her, spilling stout on her. He was then thrown out of the bar.

Later, when Pauline was at Maggie's house, and her eldest son Eamonn brought his father home. Pauline was shocked to see that Maggie was married to Sean.

Eamonn later told Sean of his granddaughter Mary's affair with married man Gerry McCrae. Maggie raced to Mary's school to collect her before violent Sean could get to her. She begged Pauline to take Mary back to Walford with her. Pauline got Sean drunk until he fell asleep and then helped Maggie pack Mary's clothes.

As Pauline, Mary and the family left Kilmoneen, Sean staggered into the road to try and stop the car, and stop Mary from leaving. Mark got out of the car and punched Sean in the groin, and they sped off in the car, leaving Sean doubled over in pain.

Family

 * Wife: Maggie Flaherty
 * Sons: Eamonn Flaherty, Conor Flaherty, Tommy Flaherty, John Flaherty
 * Grandson: Eamonn Flaherty Jr.
 * Granddaughters: Mary Flaherty, Colette Flaherty, Kylie Flaherty

Eamonn Flaherty Jr.
Eamonn Flaherty appeared in 1997 in a special week of episodes set in Ireland. He is the youngest son of Eamonn (after whom he was named) and Brenda Flaherty. He also has a sister, Colette Flaherty. Eamonn was witness to the first kiss between Colette and her first cousin once removed, Martin Fowler, when they went to collect him from choir practice.

Family

 * Father: Eamonn Flaherty
 * Mother: Brenda Flaherty
 * Sisters: Colette Flaherty, Kylie Flaherty
 * Grandfather: Sean Flaherty
 * Grandmother: Maggie Flaherty
 * Great grandfather: Albert Beale (deceased)
 * Great grandmother: Lou Beale (deceased)
 * Uncles: Conor Flaherty, John Flaherty, Tommy Flaherty
 * Great uncles: Ronnie Beale (deceased), Kenny Beale, Pete Beale (deceased), Harry Beale
 * Great aunts: Dora Beale, Pauline Fowler (deceased)
 * Great great great aunt: Dolly Beale (deceased)
 * Cousin: Mary Flaherty
 * First cousins once removed: Mark Fowler (deceased), Michelle Fowler, Martin Fowler, Elizabeth Beale, David Wicks, Ian Beale
 * Second cousins: Vicki Fowler, Mark Fowler Jr., Rebecca Miller, Bianca Jackson, Karen Wicks (deceased), Joe Wicks (deceased), Peter Beale, Lucy Beale, Bobby Beale
 * Second cousins once removed: Natasha Butcher (deceased), Liam Butcher
 * Second cousin three times removed: Nellie Ellis

Jacques Butcher
Jacques Butcher was born in France to Diane Butcher and an unknown man. Diane left Jacques with her brother Ricky and his pregnant wife Bianca when she followed her boyfriend's band on their tour. Jacques' bad behaviour made Bianca doubt that she wanted children, and she almost had an abortion Jacques later went to live with Diane's sister Clare in Manchester.

Family

 * Mother: Diane Butcher
 * Grandfather: Frank Butcher
 * Grandmother: June Butcher (deceased)
 * Great grandfather: Chike Butcher (deceased)
 * Great grandmother: Mo Butcher (deceased)
 * Uncles: Ricky Butcher, Danny Butcher
 * Aunts: Clare Butcher, Janine Evans
 * Great aunt: Joan Garwood
 * Cousins: Natasha Butcher (deceased), Liam Butcher

Julie Haye
Julie Haye (previously Saunders) was the teacher of Clare Bates. She was first seen at a parent-teacher meeting in September 1997, where she informed Clare's guardian, Nigel, that Clare was associating with a gang of bullies. Clare intially took against Julie's interference, but with Nigel's help the bullying was eventually curtailed.

Juile occasionally dropped in to Nigel's video shop to rent French films, and a friendship soon developed. Julie was intending to put on a play about the history of Walford and she persuaded Nigel to help organise it. The play prompted much local interest, and everyone wanted to get involved. Julie was so taken with Nigel that she kissed him one night after a play committee meeting, but Nigel didn't reciprocate and she was left embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Clare had began dating a fellow pupil at her school named Josh Saunders, who turned out to be Julie's son. Julie had divorced Josh's father and went by her maiden name, Haye, to prevent Josh from being bullied by her pupils. Julie's ex-husband had become incensed to learn that Julie was taking Josh to live in Scotland, which saddened Nigel also. Regretting his prior reticence, Nigel asked Julie round for dinner. Their date went well and they ended the evening with a kiss.

Julie's play rehearsals went ahead amidst many problems, mainly concering casting, as everyone in Walford wanted to be given the best roles. She also managed to offend Nigel when she recast his role to Alex Healy. Nigel began to think that Julie did not reciprocate his feelings for her, but after much moping Julie reassured him that she really was interested, and invited herself to stay the night at his place. However, the following day, the rose bush that Nigel had planted in his dead wife's honour, died. He saw this as a bad omen, and finished with Julie without explanation. Julie was furious, and Clare's attempts to get them back together failed.

Nigel clearly regretted his decision, but he found it impossible to tell Julie how he felt as she was too busy organising her play. The play was performed in April 1998, and, despite some hitches, it was a great success. Depressed, Nigel shunned the after party, which saddened Julie as she was leaving for Scotland the following day and was unable to say goodbye. Just as her taxi was driving away, Nigel stopped the car, confessed his love to Julie and asked if he could move to Scotland to be with her. Julie agreed and came to collect Nigel at the end of the month to begin their new life together in Scotland.

Family

 * Son: Josh Saunders

Jessie Moore
Jessie Moore had been put into foster care when her drug addict mother was imprisoned on remand for various offences. In October 1997 Jessie was housed with Mark and Ruth Fowler in Walford. Six year old Jessie was a deeply troubled child, who was extremely shy and refused to speak initially. She was also a bedwetter and Mark and Ruth seemed unable to get her to open up to them, but they eventually managed to make progress and they became extremely attached to her.

In 1998, Jessie's mother, Nicole, telephoned the Fowlers and asked Jessie to visit her in prison. Mark refused to allow this, but the social worker assured him that Nicole had completed her de-tox programme and that contact between her and Jessie was particularly important. Jessie visited and became excited to learn that Nicole would soon be released from prison.

Nicole paid Jessie an impromptu visit on the day of her 7th birthday in February 1998. Nicole had found herself a bedsit and wanted to take Jessie back. Mark and Ruth tried to contest Nicole's decision, but they were told that reuniting children with their parents was what fostering was all about.

Nicole spent several weeks visiting Jessie to rebuild their relationship and eventually Ruth and Mark realised how close they were. They retracted their opposition and Nicole was given custody of Jessie in March 1998. Ruth was particularly saddened by Jessie's departure and she bought her a necklace to remind her of the time they had spent together.

Family

 * Mother: Nicole Moore

Ros Thorne
Ros Thorne was a Scottish private detective who Ian Beale hired to trace his two sons, Steven and Peter. Steven and Peter had been taken by their mother, Cindy, following her failed attempt to have Ian killed by a professional hitman in 1996.

Ian and Ros discovered that Cindy was residing in Italy and followed her there in November 1997. While hunting for Cindy, Ian and Ros became attracted to each other. They had a brief sexual encounter, though their relationship never progressed into anything serious as Ian was preoccupied with his children. After days of searching, Ros eventually found Cindy working in an Italian bar and she and Ian concocted a plan to abscond with Ian's children. They lured Cindy into a trap, while Phil and Grant Mitchell kidnapped Steven and Peter and brought them to the airport to reunite with their father. Despite a few hitches, Ian managed to bring the children safely back to Walford, with Cindy in pursuit.

Cindy threatened to take Ian to court for custody of the children. Ian continued to use Ros to investigate Cindy and her new partner, Nick Holland—a rich businessman who was funding the custody case. Ros also began investigating Ian's hitman, John Valecue, who was now being held in prison for an unrelated murder. Valecue was unwilling to admit that Cindy hired him to kill Ian, as his sentence would likely increase if he admitted to his involvement. However, after Annie Palmer threatened him with severe repercussions from her associates within the prison, Valecue eventually confessed. Cindy was arrested and imprisoned, and Ian was given custody of his children. Ros was not seen again following the completion of the case.

Melanie Thomas
Melanie Thomas was Ian Beale's opponent in the election for a seat on Walford Council. She won the seat and later annoyed Ian by approving Alex Healy's application for a shelter for homeless people in Bridge Street, called Bridge House, which Ian was strongly opposed to.

Nick Holland
Nick Holland first appeared in 1997 when Cindy Beale met him in Italy while on the run after escaping from Walford with her children. They became lovers, and Cindy became pregnant with his child.

When Cindy's ex-husband Ian Beale tracked her down and stole the children back from Cindy and returned to Walford, Nick at first tried to help Cindy and came with her back to Walford to get custody of the children. But during the trial Cindy was arrested for attempted murder of Ian and Nick realised what Cindy was really like.

Nick returned to Italy after the trial ended. After Cindy died while giving birth in prison, Nick never came back for his daughter also named Cindy Williams, who was sent to live with her grandparents in Cornwall.

Family

 * Daughter: Cindy Williams