Walford’s Amy Mitchell: Star Ellie Dadd Confirms Christmas Exit! Is This The End for Her EastEnders Role?

EastEnders fans, get ready for an update straight from the Square! Star Ellie Dadd, who has been captivating audiences as Amy Mitchell on the BBC One soap since 2022, has shared some exciting news about her character’s future, as she takes on a brand-new project. This Christmas, Dadd will be taking a brief detour from the familiar streets of Walford to immerse herself in the enchanting, fictional village of Villeneuve, France. She’s set to embrace the iconic role of Belle in a dazzling pantomime production of Beauty and the Beast. This move has naturally sparked questions about Amy Mitchell’s ongoing presence in Albert Square, but Dadd has now offered a definitive answer.

From Walford to Villeneuve: Ellie Dadd’s Christmas Adventure

Ellie Dadd is no stranger to the stage, having started her journey in pantomime at the tender age of six. Her casting as Belle in Beauty and the Beast fulfills a childhood dream, as she enthusiastically shared, “Isn’t it every girl’s dream to play a princess at least once in their lives?” This festive role will demand a rigorous schedule, with Dadd expected to attend rehearsals and perform two shows a day throughout the Christmas period.

However, despite the demanding nature of her theatrical commitment, Dadd has offered reassuring news to worried EastEnders fans: Amy Mitchell isn’t going anywhere! She confirmed that her time away from the soap will be temporary, stating, “They’re just letting me have a couple of weeks off and then I’ll be back.” This means viewers can rest assured that Amy will still be a fixture in Albert Square following Dadd’s festive pantomime run.

Dadd also highlighted how her experience on the EastEnders set has uniquely prepared her for the challenges of live theatre. The fast-paced environment of the BBC soap, where they “film 14 scenes a day and we’re there five days a week,” has instilled in her a crucial adaptability. “If a scene is not going to plan, things need to change quickly. You learn to trust your instincts,” she explained. This invaluable training means that if anything goes awry during a live performance of Beauty and the Beast, she’ll be able to handle it with professional calm. “If things go wrong, you’re like, ‘Okay, that’s fine. We can sort it.’ Everybody’s there for you,” she added, emphasizing the supportive nature of the production environment.

Beyond Albert Square: Strictly Dreams and Amy’s Future

While her immediate future involves Belle and then a return to Amy, Ellie Dadd has her sights set on another major UK television event: Strictly Come Dancing. Expressing her keen interest, she stated, “If I had the opportunity to do it, I’d absolutely love to do it.” This move, however, might necessitate a longer break from the Square than her pantomime stint, as Strictly requires a more extensive commitment to rehearsals and live shows. If Dadd were to participate, she would join a growing list of EastEnders stars who have graced the Strictly dance floor, including notable names like Rose Ayling-Ellis, Jamie Borthwick, Bobby Brazier, and Molly Rainford, among others. Their successful transitions to the dance competition have often endeared them further to the public, and it’s clear Dadd hopes to follow in their footsteps.

The Beauty and the Beast pantomime is set to run at Fairfield Halls in London, from December 12 to January 4, with tickets currently available for purchase. For those eager to catch Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell, EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7:30 PM on BBC One. Additionally, most episodes are available for early streaming on BBC iPlayer at 6:00 AM ahead of their TV broadcast, allowing dedicated fans to keep up with all the Walford drama.

This update from Ellie Dadd offers a clear picture of her professional endeavors, reassuring fans that Amy Mitchell remains a part of the EastEnders landscape for the foreseeable future, even as Dadd explores exciting new roles and potentially, a spin on the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. Her versatility as an actress and her ambition suggest a bright career ahead, both on and off the iconic Albert Square.