Bianca Jackson

Bianca Jackson (also Butcher) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Patsy Palmer. The character was introduced by executive producer Leonard Lewis and appeared initially from 1993 to 1999, when Palmer opted to leave. In 2002 executive producer John Yorke brought the character back for a special spin-off show. She returned to EastEnders as a full-time character in April 2008. Palmer took maternity leave in late 2010 and Bianca left the series in January 2011. The character returned in December 2011 after Palmer signed a "working mums" contract, which granted her leave from the soap between April and November 2012. The actress quit EastEnders in 2014 and Bianca departed on 12 September 2014. Palmer reprised the role on 2 September 2019 for a guest stint and a second guest stint was scheduled for 2020, but later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in early 2024, Palmer reprised her role for just over a year, between 4 March 2024 and 17 April 2025.

During her first run on the show, in the 1990s, Bianca was known for her bizarre sense of style, sharp tongue and fiery temper, and her romantic chemistry with established character Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen); the two represent one of the show's most memorable relationships to date, which is best remembered for when Bianca often screams "Rickaaaaaaay!" whenever they argue with each other. She has also been featured in many central plot developments such as affairs, feuds, bereavements, family problems, spina bifida and having an abortion. Bianca's other storylines have included her relationship with her parents, Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) and David Wicks (Michael French), Ricky, her family, her childhood friend Natalie Evans (Lucy Speed) and her best friend Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon). Bianca's 1999 departure involved cheating on Ricky when she has an affair with Carol's boyfriend, Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass). Since her 2008 return, her storylines have included coping with the discovery that her new fiancé Tony King (Chris Coghill) is a paedophile; remarrying Ricky for a second time; going to prison for assault and theft; dealing with money problems; her friendship with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace); a romance with Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton); getting stalked by Tony's son Leo King (Tom Wells); dealing with depression; exploring an ADHD diagnosis; and being kidnapped by Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman).