Renowned television actress Martha Cope has been cast in EastEnders as Sandy Gibson, Dotty Cotton’s (played by Milly Zero) mum and will make her first on-screen appearance this autumn.
Martha, 51, has appeared in many popular TV shows including Doctors, Men Behaving Badly, Family Affairs, Doctor Who and Holby City.
Martha’s character Sandy has a troubled life that she can’t seem to escape. Her past alcohol problems led Sandy to a fleeting relationship with the notorious Nick Cotton (John Altman) in which she fell pregnant with Dotty, but she originally kept her pregnancy a secret.
Exciting: Renowned television actress Martha Cope, 51, has been cast in EastEnders as Sandy Gibson, Dotty Cotton’s mum and will make her first on-screen appearance this autumn
She eventually told Nick about their daughter whilst he was in prison and he took over custody upon his release, lying to Dotty that Sandy had passed away in a car accident.
Sandy was last seen on the Square in 2010 when Dot (June Brown) was instrumental in reuniting mother and daughter against the wishes of her son.
Sandy appeared in just two episodes at the time and was played by actress Caroline Pegg.
Since Dotty returned to Walford in 2019, Sandy has stayed well away and no one is more shocked than Dotty when her mum drops by unannounced and soon causes chaos.
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Past: Sandy had a fleeting relationship with the notorious Nick Cotton (John Altman) in which she fell pregnant with Dotty (Milly Zero, pictured) but she originally kept her pregnancy secret
Last seen: Sandy was last seen on the Square in 2010 when Dot (June Brown) was instrumental in reuniting mother and daughter against the wishes of her son Nick (pictured: Dot and Nick)
Of her arrival to Albert Square, Martha said: ‘I have watched EastEnders since it began and I’m beyond excited to join such an iconic show.’
She also noted she is ‘having a great time playing Sandy’.
Jon Sen, Executive Producer, EastEnders added: ‘Martha is a brilliant addition to our cast – we’re excited to welcome her to Walford.
‘To say Sandy has a chequered past is an understatement and it’s no secret that Dotty’s upbringing was marred by her parents.’
He concluded: ‘Sandy’s arrival catches Dotty off guard and she’ll be forced to confront everything she’s tried to leave behind.’
Arrival: Of her arrival to Albert Square, Martha said: ‘I have watched EastEnders since it began and I’m beyond excited to join such an iconic show’
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