EastEnders has aired a surprise twist involving Shrimpy on today’s episode (Monday 16 March).
Actor Ben Champniss has been playing the market stall trader in occasional appearances since 2014.
Monday’s episode of the BBC One soap opera, which focused on Mother’s Day, surprised viewers with a cameo from a beloved background actor, and even a surprise appearance by his own mother!
It was so classic Alfie! He was serving champagne in The Queen Vic and, turning to Kat Slater’s mum, he said, ‘Alright Shrimpy, so nice to finally meet you! And what name do we use for you, love?’ It just felt like a perfectly Alfie moment, totally charming and a bit cheeky!
After the episode aired, Champniss surprised fans on Instagram with a revelation: she plays, and is, the actor’s real mother.
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Ben’s mum, Jackie, shared in a comment how much she enjoyed the experience, saying it was lovely to get a glimpse into another side of his life. She signed off with a kiss.
The episode also featured a shocking moment for viewers: a character unexpectedly returned after being off the show for seven years.
This week’s episode of the show focused on the Beale family’s Mother’s Day celebration. However, things became awkward when Lauren Beale invited her estranged and often controversial father, Max Branning, to join the festivities.
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Molly Moss writes about the newest trends in television, movies, and other entertainment for TopMob. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and has also contributed to major publications like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.
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2026-03-16 21:11