Eastenders actress faces trial over incident outside Jamie’s Italian

Barmaid Shirley Carter has had some ups and down during her time in Walford and it looks like the woman who plays her is no stranger to drama either.

Linda Henry, who joined the Eastenders cast eight years ago, is set to stand trial over accusations of racially aggravated harassment in an incident which is said to have taken place in September of this year. The actress has denied the accusation and is reportedly devastated over the upcoming trial.

The 51-year-old TV star decided not to attend her initial hearing, but has pleaded not guilty through her lawyer with a source telling The Sun newspaper: “Linda is horrified at the accusation and intends to fight it tooth and nail.”

The actress is adamant that she will clear her name and an insider has reported: “Those close to her know the truth and the type of person she is. She has never been in trouble before, has never been accused of this type of thing before and is determined to prove she is innocent of these deeply offensive claims.”

The incident apparently took place outside Jamie Oliver's Greenwich restaurant and the trial will begin in February of next year.