Who plays Joel’s mum Cleo in EastEnders and where will fans recognise her from?
EastEnders have confirmed who will be playing evil Joel Marshall's mum Cleo when she arrives in Albert Square this week and she already has a past with two cast members
Max Murray’s real-life aunt has joined EastEnders to play his on-screen mother(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders fans are set to be introduced to Joel Murray’s mum, Cleo, this week.
Viewers will be aware that mysterious Cleo got in touch with Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) in August last year to announce her marriage to another man.
Since then, Cleo’s repeated abandonment has left Ross to struggle as a single parent but the pair are set to come face-to-face this week.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, July 15) on BBC iPlayer, theatre legend Mazz Murray arrives in Walford to take on the cameo role of Cleo for two episodes.
Arriving in Walford with son Joel (Max Murray) in tow, Cleo is set to reveal that despite a previous arrangement, he is no longer able to live with her.
Mazz Murray arrives in Walford this week to take on the cameo role of Cleo for two episodes(Image: BBC)
With ex-husband Ross and his new wife Vicki (Alice Haig) recently back from honeymoon, and with Joel previously prosecuted for an attack which left Vicki hospitalised, the news will come as a shock to the newlyweds.
With Vicki previously adamant that Joel couldn’t live in Walford for the sake of their relationship, Ross is faced with an impossible decision as he’s forced to choose between his new wife and his only son.
Discussing her cameo role as Cleo, Mazz said: “It was so wonderful to be part of these EastEnders episodes as we delve into Joel’s familial past, and my experience was made all the better working alongside my talented, gorgeous nephew Max. And also, my childhood school friend Alex Walkinshaw playing my ex-husband.”
The real-life connections aren’t the only link Mazz has to Albert Square. Some fans will remember the actress previously appeared on the soap for one episode back in 2004 as Miranda, a waitress that got into a brawl with Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry).
Mazz has previously played two other roles in EastEnders(Image: BBC)
13 years later, Mazz played Julie, a divorced woman who hired Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) as a male escort. In 2014, Mazz’s sister and Max’s real-life mother Gina Murray also appeared on the show playing Helen, a hair specialist that comes to help Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) find a wig she could wear whilst going through cancer treatment.
Mazz is best known for playing Donna Sheridan in West End show Mamma Mia! and she also portrayed the role of Killer Queen in Queen musical We Will Rock You.
She has also appeared in TV shows Footballers’ Wives, Blessed, Fimbles and more recently BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK as a guest judge.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am
