EASTENDERS legend Elaine Lordon made fans do a double take as she reunited with former co-star Lucy Benjamin in a rare snap.
Elaine, who played Slater sister Lynne Hobbs in the BBC soap from 2000 to 2004, smiled for a photo with Lucy, who portrayed Lisa Fowler on/off between 1998 until 2023.
Elaine Lordan and Lucy Benjamin reunited last summer for a rare snap[/caption]
The actress played legendary character Lynne Hobbs from 2000 to 2004[/caption]
Lucy portrayed Lisa Fowler on the BBC soap[/caption]
The pair looked in good spirits as they enjoyed a catch-up after last summer.
The photo has since resurfaced as fans reminisce on past Walford favourites star as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary.
In the photo, Elaine, 58, is seen wearing a black and white striped top and a pair of reading glasses.
While Lucy looked glamorous in a leopard print t-shirt with her curly tresses loosely framing her face.
Lucy shared the photo on her Instagram and wrote: “Oh I love this woman with all my heart! Elaine Lordan.”
EastEnders fans were over the moon to see the two iconic ladies back together.
One wrote: “Awww Elaine looks very healthy and well, she was incredible in EastEnders; We need Elaine to return!!! I’m glad Elaine looks so well.”
A second fan begged: “‘Aaaaah come back Lynne Slater! That would be amazing! She lookin so amazing hope treating her very well well done Elaine.”
“I’m so happy to see Elaine look so well and healthy. Thank you so much for posting this. Sending love to you both; You both look fabulous,” a third commented.
A fourth said: “So lovely to see Elaine looking so well; Great to see Elaine again. Love to you both; Lovely to see Elaine looking so happy and well! Brought a smile to my face!”
Another added: “This is so iconic and brings back so many memories, I would love Lynne Slater to return please tell Elaine, she looks amazing and I hope she’s well.”
It is a big turn around for Elaine, who was pictured in 2018 looking worse for wear after knocking back booze in the middle of the day.
She was convicted of drink-driving and banned for a year after downing five vodkas in 2004, and subsequently axed from the soap.
A source said at the time: “It was decided to make the changes after she had a few problems with drinking. It has been done to help her rather than to punish her.”
Life got worse for Elaine after she left the show. In 2005 her mum took her own life, aged 62.
Nine months later she tragically lost her one-year-old son James. He suffered from breathing difficulties caused by a condition called
diaphragmatic hernia — and died three days after Elaine married his dad, ex-BBC technician Peter Manuel.
She fell pregnant again in 2007, but sadly miscarried shortly after. A year later her dad passed away.
She appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2005 — but had to be airlifted out after twice fainting on the first day.
Elaine went off the radar for a long time after, but in 2018 she was spotted appearing to be downing mini bottles of wine in the street before midday.
She was last seen in 2020 looking much healthier as she went for a jog with her husband.
Meanwhile, Lucy first joined EastEnders in 1998, but left in 2003.
She had two brief stints in 2010 and 2017, before returning again between 2019 and 2023.
Elaine was axed from the soap in 2004[/caption]
Elaine played Kat and Little Mo’s sister in the Slater family[/caption]
Lynne was married to Gary Hobbs on the soap[/caption]
