Manda Best is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Josie Lawrence.

It was announced in November 2009 that Lawrence had quit EastEnders as she wanted to pursue other projects, making her final appearance on 12 February 2010, after ending her relationship with Minty.

Minty reveals that while Manda was dating his friend Phil Mitchell years ago, he secretly used to hate her.

Manda's landlord evicts her from her flat, and after Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) and Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon) leave Walford, she moves into Minty's residence with her cat.

Manda's son Adam Best (David Proud) comes to stay in September 2009, and he takes an instant dislike to Minty.

Manda discovers that Darren Miller (Charlie G. Hawkins) is secretly the father of Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison)'s baby George, but agrees to keep it to herself.

They make up, but then Manda finds out that Minty has been hiding Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook), a fugitive, from the police.

In January 2009, it was announced that comedian Lawrence would join EastEnders playing Manda Best, a character who had grown up in Walford and knew Phil and Minty over 20 years before moving back.

"[2] EastEnders' executive producer Diederick Santer said of Lawrence's casting, "I'm so excited Josie's joining us.

[6] "I wanted Minty to go and make a cup of tea, then return to find nothing left of Manda but her pixie boots and a puff of smoke.

"[8] She said that she wanted to leave EastEnders with a "bang",[9] but writers did not have time to come up with a good exit storyline as they were busy working on the "Who Killed Archie?"

[11] The website goes on to say: "Bubbly, free-spirit Manda Best is well connected with her spiritual side and is a firm believer in solving life's problems through hugging.