List of EastEnders characters introduced in 2012
Danny Pennant (Gary Lucy) arrived in September, as part of a love triangle storyline involving Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge).
Ava Hartman (Clare Perkins), the long-lost daughter of Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) was introduced in November and Kirsty Branning (Kierston Wareing), Max's (Jake Wood) secret wife, made her first appearance on Christmas Day.
Les first appears when he visits Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) and David Wicks (Michael French) to arrange Pat Evans' (Pam St Clement) funeral.
When walking home one night, Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) notices Les being handed money by Dot Branning's (June Brown) grandson, Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett).
Pam is upset when Les insults Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton) while drunk, fearful it will reveal a big secret they have been keeping; that she euthanised their dying son, Lawrie.
He reveals he is aware of his long running affair with Claudette and that was why he went to work abroad in the first place, not because of Pam's decision to euthanise his father as they previously believed.
Shortly after, Paul encourages Les to remind Pam of the man she first fell in love with and she agrees to his moving back in as long as they sleep in separate beds.
Pam struggles to cope, refusing to talk to Les about Paul, so he considers dressing as Christine; he explains why he cross-dresses to Billy and gives him his job back.
"[13] The Daily Mirror's Jane Simon commented on Les's scenes, saying "You don't often get laughs out of an undertaker, but the chap who turns up to arrange Pat's funeral has Carol Jackson spluttering into her tea.
[8] Nico Papadopoulos, played by Aykut Hilmi,[40] is a worker at McKlunky's fast food restaurant, who Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) irritates after a night out.
[50] On 22 September 2013, it was announced that Banks would be written out of the show and will leave following the conclusion of Michael Moon's (Steve John Shepherd) exit storyline.
[64] Concerned with Scarlett's deteriorating health, her parents organise a christening for her at the hospital with her uncle, Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) and his stepdaughter Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), as godparents.
During the live episode of 23 July 2012, Lola goes into labour whilst her grandfather Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) is carrying the Olympic Flame through Walford.
In October, Jay receives a call from Lola on his 21st birthday, ending her relationship with him and revealing she is now with Dexter Hartman (Khali Best), who is determined to provide Lexi with a stable upbringing.
He is first seen in the local nightclub R&R, where he flirts with Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and Sharon Rickman (Letitia Dean).
Billy is also concerned when Lola returns with her friend Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), as he is on police bail for perverting the course of justice in relation to a murder.
[78] Trish finds out that Billy has lied about being employed,[105] and then decides to visit daily as she feels he and Lola are not coping as she has used a tea towel as a nappy and the flat has not been cleaned.
[126] The scenes were also condemned by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), calling the BBC "too lazy and arrogant" to get correctly portray the child protection process, and saying that the baby was taken "without sufficient grounds to do so".
Bridget Robb, acting chief of the BASW, said the storyline provoked "real anger among a profession well used to a less than accurate public and media perception of their jobs".
She stated: It is disgraceful to see a publicly funded broadcaster deliberately spreading misinformation about the child protection process because it is too lazy and arrogant to get it right.
"[126] The BBC responded to BASW by saying: • We understand you're unhappy with the current storyline concerning Lexi and Lola as you feel it portrays social workers inaccurately.
We consulted with the programme's production team in writing our response and we'd like to assure you our intention is not to portray social workers in a negative light.
• Whilst the audience has seen how much Lola loves Lexi and how responsible she can be with her baby, we were careful to ensure that when the social worker was visiting, she generally saw only more worrying behaviour.
[130] On 22 August, it was announced that Lucy would be playing a gay character, set to become involved in a love triangle with Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Syed Masood (Marc Elliott).
[140] A EastEnders spokesperson refused to confirm this saying, "It's fair to say that Danny is going to cause a few problems for the residents of Walford but viewers will have to tune in and see for themselves as we don't want to spoil the surprise!".
[141] News of Jackie's appearance was first reported in October 2012, when photographs emerged from on-location filming, featuring actors Foreman and Jake Wood, who plays Derek's brother Max Branning, and two women, one of whom was Lima.
[195] Ayesha's arrival was teased by executive producer Lorraine Newman in an interview with Digital Spy when she said, "The Masoods are rightfully incredibly popular and we've got big plans for them.
[200] Adam first appears when he is in a group of men who give Carl's former prison cellmate Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) a beating after running his car off the road and chasing him.
[202] Adam returns in March 2014, in search for Carl, who has since been murdered by Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), alongside his mother, Nora (Lynn Farleigh).
At Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) engagement party, Kirsty acts drunk and tries to hug Max, stealing his car keys.
