Bianca Jackson

Bianca Jackson (also Butcher) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Patsy Palmer. The character was introduced by executive producer Leonard Lewis and appeared initially from 1993 to 1999, when Palmer opted to leave. In 2002 executive producer John Yorke brought the character back for a special spin-off show. She returned to EastEnders as a full-time character in April 2008. Palmer took maternity leave in late 2010 and Bianca left the series in January 2011. The character returned in December 2011 after Palmer signed a "working mums" contract, which granted her leave from the soap between April and November 2012. The actress quit EastEnders in 2014 and Bianca departed on 12 September 2014. Palmer reprised the role on 2 September 2019 for a guest stint and a second guest stint was scheduled for 2020, but later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in early 2024, Palmer reprised her role for just over a year, between 4 March 2024 and 17 April 2025.

During her first run on the show, in the 1990s, Bianca was known for her bizarre sense of style, sharp tongue and fiery temper, as well as her romantic chemistry with established character Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen); the two represent one of the show's most memorable relationships to date, which is best remembered for when Bianca often screams "Rickaaaaaaay!" whenever they argue with each other. She has also been featured in many central plot developments such as affairs, feuds, bereavements, family problems, spina bifida and having an abortion. Bianca's other storylines in her first stint have included her troubled relationships with parents Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) and David Wicks (Michael French) along with their family members; an on-off friendship with childhood school-mate Natalie Evans (Lucy Speed); a more stronger companionship with best friend Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon); a rivalry with Ricky's other spouse Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook); a feud with Sam's older brother Grant (Ross Kemp) over his volatile marriage with Tiffany; and then cheating on Ricky when she has an affair with Carol's boyfriend Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass), the latter of which culminates in her 1999 departure from the show. Since her 2008 return, her storylines have included coping with the discovery that her new fiancé Tony King (Chris Coghill) is a paedophile who sexually abused her adopted surrogate daughter Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) in the past; remarrying Ricky for a second time; going to prison for assault and theft; battling with money problems; forming a close fellowship with companion Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace); having a short-lived romance with old lover Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton); getting stalked by Tony's son Leo (Tom Wells); dealing with depression; exploring an ADHD diagnosis; seeking to exonerate her younger sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) after she is falsely accused of murder; being kidnapped by her sister's boyfriend Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman); and coming into loggerheads with Sonia's estranged father Terry Cant (Glen Davies).