Inside EastEnders star Belinda Owusu’s life from co-star daughter to family tragedy
Belinda Owusu, who plays Libby Fox in EastEnders, has returned to Albert Square after nine years
Libby Fox returns to Walford(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders’ beloved character Libby Fox has made her comeback to Albert Square following a nine-year absence from Walford.
During Tuesday’s (June 16) instalment of the BBC soap, viewers witnessed Denise Fox (Diane Parish) as she courageously chose to begin treatment after her blood cancer diagnosis.
The mother-of-three received support from her spouse, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), while preparing to embark on her demanding, potentially life-saving treatment, as her daughter, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), contacted her younger sibling, Libby (Belinda Owusu), to relay the heartbreaking news, reports OK!.
As Denise got ready to depart home for a four-week hospital stay, she received an unexpected surprise when Libby appeared to greet her mum, who was delighted by their unforeseen reunion. Libby vowed to visit the hospital the following day and assured her she would remain for however long Denise required her presence.
Libby and Denise reunite in EastEnders(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Who is Libby in EastEnders?
Libby (Belinda Owusu) first arrived in Albert Square in May 2006, when the Fox family made their debut on the BBC soap. Just four years later, the studious character left Walford to pursue her studies at Oxford University, much to her mother, Denise’s, pride.
She returned in 2014 before departing permanently in 2017. Back in 2006, Libby’s biological father was Owen Turner (Lee Ross), who attempted to murder her during a vicious custody dispute.
Owen met his end at the hands of Chelsea’s father, Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet), who concealed his remains beneath a tree. Throughout the years, Libby made occasional appearances before her final departure in 2017.
Nevertheless, audiences most recently spotted her this January, when she featured in the flash-forward episode scheduled for New Year’s Day 2027, leaving viewers puzzled about the reasoning behind her comeback.
Libby Fox was seen on-screen duing the EastEnders flashforward (Image: BBC)
Who plays Libby Fox in EastEnders?
Actress Belinda Owusu brings Libby Fox to life on the BBC drama. The 37-year-old from Hackney, East London, is equally renowned for her role as Nicky McKendrick in the BBC medical drama Holby City between 2017 and 2022.
Throughout her stint on Holby City, Belinda appeared alongside her real-life baby daughter, who portrayed her on-screen child, Juliet, who was adopted by Amelia and Eli Ebrahimi (Lucy Briggs-Owen and Davood Ghadami).
Speaking to What to Watch, Belinda disclosed this family connection when questioned about filming such emotionally challenging scenes.
Belinda explained: “It was really difficult because Juliet is [played by] my baby. It made it a little harder because Nicky’s relationship with Juliet is quite different to mine. I was gushing over every single gurgle my baby was doing.”
She continued, “In hindsight, I’m so glad we did it because those are days I got to be with her that I wouldn’t have.”
In 2019, the character also appeared in one episode of Casualty, and Belinda’s additional television work includes Doctor Who, Trigger Point, Only Child, and The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Belinda Owusu is also famed for starring in Holby City(Image: BBC)
What happened to Belinda Owusu’s brother?
Belinda endured the devastating loss of her younger brother in a horrific attack in October 2016.
Ziggy Worrell-Owusu was fatally stabbed just hours after celebrating his 19th birthday, leaving Belinda and her family utterly heartbroken and in shock.
At the time, a Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at about 20 to 1 in the morning to the Basement Shisha Lounge in Goodmayes Road, where they found Ziggy fatally injured.
“He was taken to an east London hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, officers and friends who came to Ziggy’s aid at the scene, he didn’t recover from his injury and died shortly after arrival.”
Ziggy Worrell-Owusu died aged 19 after being stabbed in London (Image: PA)
While she remained committed to her role in EastEnders, Belinda wrestled with the anguish of losing her sibling. Speaking to the Evening Standard in the aftermath of Ziggy’s death, she made an emotional plea to find her little brother’s killer.
She said, “My brother went along with some friends to celebrate his birthday, and this just happened. He was not involved in any fighting, but we know there were lots of different groups of friends there, and not everyone knew each other.
“Someone decided they were going to bring a weapon in. It is hard to imagine anyone doing that, let alone deciding to do this to someone. We are not completely sure if it was their intention to hurt him or if he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he was not fighting.
“There were lots of arguments going on that night, but Ziggy was a good kid. If he saw someone in trouble, he would help them. He had just started out, he had a 19th birthday, and he was just starting to become an adult, and suddenly, it was all gone. It is still a shock.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
