Bea Pollard has made quite an impression on EastEnders fans since rocking up in the Square earlier this year, introduced as an old acquaintance of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

The newcomer made a memorable and uncomfortable entrance in January when she encountered Linda at a high school reunion.

Having only recently returned to Walford at the time, Linda was clearly unsettled by the idea of revisiting her past, and she even considered pulling out altogether.

However, her mum, Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) was determined not to let her hide away, convincing Linda that she needs to get herself out there.

Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) was left thrilled at the prospect of attending the reunion and eagerly volunteered to go along for moral support and a night out.

Together, Linda and Honey headed to the event, but things quickly take an unexpected turn when Bea rocked up – and this led to a series of events in the months since as Bea will and truly made her presence felt.

Who is Bea in EastEnders?

Bea is an old school friend of Linda’s. Her debut appearance came in January when Linda improvised at the school reunion and handed Honey a name tag which said ‘Bea’ to get her into the event.

The real Bea Pollard subsequently turned up at the reunion, exposing the lie and setting the stage for an explosive confrontation.

Bea struck up a conversation with Honey, she began to share her version of events from their school days, and it paints a very different picture of Linda to the one viewers might expect.

According to Bea, Linda was far from innocent at school and allegedly bullied her, a claim that leaves Honey shocked and Linda visibly rattled. It’s clear that Bea and Linda remember their past very differently, and the uncomfortable exchange forces Linda to confront aspects of her younger self that she’d rather forget.

Though Linda disputed her version of events, she decided that she should make amends for what Bea felt during their time at high school and thus invited her to stay at Peacock Palace after she was kicked out of her home.

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Bea was thrilled but it soon became clear that there was more to her than meets the eye.

After feeling like she was getting under Elaine’s feet, she decided to move out of the B&B, instead taking up residence at Honey’s home while she, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and the kids headed away on a trip.

Billy returned home last week and found Bea’s presence unsettling as she grew closer to the Janet and Will. When Honey returns home this week, the situation escalates further, making for some intense scenes along the way.

Who plays Bea in EastEnders?

Bea Pollard is played by Ronni Ancona, a hugely recognisable face to British TV audiences.

Best known for her work on sketch shows such as ‘The Big Impression’, Ronni has built a career on sharp comedy, uncanny impressions, and memorable character performances. She’s also appeared in hit series, including Still Game and Skins, making her a familiar and respected figure across the industry.

Ronni’s casting was announced in early December, when it was revealed she would be joining EastEnders for a short stint as Bea, one of Linda Carter’s old school acquaintances.

Initial details were deliberately vague, teasing that Bea and Linda would come face-to-face at a high school reunion in the new year, with hints that their shared history wasn’t as straightforward as it first appeared.

At the time of the announcement, Ronni said: ‘I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life.’

This role marks Ronni’s first appearance on EastEnders, but the soap holds a special place in her career history. She famously spoofed the show and its characters in sketch shows, including a well-known parody filmed on the very bench in Albert Square where her first EastEnders scene takes place.

‘Stepping onto the actual set for the first time was an especially strange experience,’ Ronni admitted. ‘My first scene was on the bench in the middle of Albert Square, exactly where Alastair and I once filmed our sketch The Bench of Tears.

She also shared a surreal moment filming inside The Queen Vic, recalling her much-loved impression of the late Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell. ‘I couldn’t help remembering my impression of Peggy, which mostly involved me shuffling around on my knees in padded knee guards because Barbara was so much shorter than I am,’ she laughed.

Thankfully, the current cast have embraced her arrival, with Ronni revealing that Jessie Wallace even did Ronni’s own impression of Kat Slater back to her on set.

As for what’s next, Ronni has teased that viewers should expect ‘lots of twists and turns and lots of unexpected developments’ as Bea settles into life in Walford.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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The expansion by VetMedi.co.uk aims to meet a growing demand for affordable pet healthcare.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate accredited dispensary has recently created three jobs, with further rolers in dispensary, warehouse and office teams expected in the coming year.

The new premises allows the online pharmacy, founded in 2021, to triple its daily order capacity. More storage space and better vehicle access will help fuel future growth.

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This comes has the company reports 85% year-on-year growth in medicine sales as pet owners seek better value during the cost-of-living crisis.

Founded by North Yorkshire veterinarian Dr. Charlotte Inness, the business has transitioned from a home-run operation into a million-pound enterprise.

After hitting the seven-figure mark in just its second year of trading in 2023, VetMedi continues its upward trajectory, with revenues projected to reach £8million in 2026.

Today, VetMedi operates a nationwide digital platform delivering prescription veterinary medicines, nutrition and supplements and health supplies directly to doorsteps across the UK. This is complemented by a local dispensary, providing a personal touch and immediate service for the local community.

VetMedi founder Dr Charlotte Inness said: “Moving to our new space in Sutton-on-the-Forest was the natural next step in our journey. We are incredibly proud of our Yorkshire roots. These larger premises allow us to deliver expert support not only to our local community, but to a rapidly expanding customer base nationwide.”

Dr. Inness – whose 14 year veterinary career has seen her care for animals in the UK and Australia – added: “Looking back at how VetMedi started at a kitchen table, progressed to a garage, and has now moved into this professional office space and dedicated warehouse, it feels like an absolute privilege.”

“It is particularly rewarding to know we are providing a vital service. While we are a national player, we remain committed to our local customers, offering a fast delivery service and the option to collect directly from our premises to save on postage and further reduce growing animal veterinary care costs.”

Amid widespread rumours about a shake-up ahead of this year’s season of Strictly, The Sun published a piece over the weekend claiming that the spin-off show’s presenters Janette Manrara and Fleur East were being “axed” in further changes to the franchise.

However, a spokesperson for the show has now issued a statement to Metro refuting this version of events.

“It is factually incorrect to claim that either [Janette or Fleur] has been ‘axed’,” they said, adding that “plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course”.

Janette was previously a Strictly pro for eight seasons before landing the role as host of It Takes Two in 2021.

After two seasons co-hosting with Rylan Clark, he was replaced by former Strictly contestant Fleur.

Karen told her Instagram followers over the weekend: “After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about.

“Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher, but as a human being. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people, and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much.”

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After what feels like centuries of grim, wet winter; spring has finally sprung (meteorological spring started on 1 March).

The weather seems to have gotten the memo, with sightings of the sun already starting to transform the mental wellbeing of people up and down the nation – including yours truly.

At the beginning of the season, however, the transitional weather can be particularly hard to predict. You might leave the house feeling pretty chilly, start sweating on your lunch break, and be back to seeing your breath again by sunset.

The key to dressing right for the season is by layering, but it doesn’t have to be all function, no fashion.

Here’s a list of some of the best (and most chic) layerable buys on the high street to get you started.

ICE agents will be deployed to major airports across the United States beginning today in a bid to help security agents.

For more than a month, TSA agents across the US have been affected by a partial government shutdown, leading to long lines and longer waits in airport terminals.

Many of the TSA agents haven’t been paid during the lingering shutdown, leading many to walk off the job until the government is up and running again.

Trump posted a rambling Truth Social, explaining the change: ‘The Radical Left Democrats have hurt so many people with their vicious and uncaring ways. What they have done to the Department of Homeland Security, our fantastic TSA Officers, and, most importantly, the great people of our Country, is an absolute disgrace.

‘If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before! The Fascist Democrats will never protect America, but the Republicans will.

‘Just like the Radical Left allowed millions of Criminals to pour into our Country through their ridiculous and dangerous Open Border Policy, the Republicans closed it all down, and we now have the Strongest Border in American History. Likewise, I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, “GET READY.”’

Here’s what to know.

What to know about ICE in the airport

To combat the delays, however, Donald Trump had a brilliant idea – deploy his immigration officers to 14 airports.

JFK and LaGuardia in New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston and Phoenix will all have ICE officers on site to ‘help out’.

Despite widespread worry, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens reassured his city that ICE will only operate under the TSA, and not in any immigration matters.

ICE officers will be used to help with queue management and crowd control, inside domestic terminals only, he said.

Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘border czar’, told CNN: ‘There are TSA agents covering exits. People who enter through the exits.

‘Certainly, a highly trained ICE law enforcement officer can cover an exit, make sure people don’t go through those exits, and enter an airport through the exits.’

‘Stuff like that relieves the TSA officer to go to screening and to reduce those lines. I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine because they’re not trained in that,’ he added.

‘There are certain parts of security that TSA’s doing that we can move them off those jobs and put them in the specialised jobs and help them move those lines.’

As of now, it appears the ICE agents won’t be doing TSA agents’ jobs, but rather filling in gaps and helping with crowd control.

However, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that ICE agents would ‘do Security [sic] like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants [sic]’.

What are your rights with TSA?

Travellers in US airports are required to comply with TSA screening procedures.

If questioned by law enforcement in the airport – which includes ICE agents – citizens have the right to remain silent, and need only answer questions pertaining to their travel plans and identity.

The ACLU notes that you could face detainment or further inspection if you refuse to give over your phone.

The ACLU added that ICE doesn’t have authority to detain or question US citizens without cause, and those on visas and green cards also have rights.

They are only required to answer questions related to their immigration status.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to a crash between two cars on Holcombe Road yesterday, March 22, at around 6pm.

Images from the scene shortly after it happened show a white car on its roof in the middle of the road.

The busy road was closed until around 8.30pm, with officers on hand to manage the closure.

Police confirmed one driver suffered a minor injury, and the other driver, a man in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and drug driving.

Crash on Holcombe Road (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

The 42-year-old man remains in police custody.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “Officers were called to a report of a road traffic collision between two cars on Holcombe Road, Tottington at around 6pm yesterday (Sunday 22 March 2026).

“One driver suffered a minor injury.

“The other driver, a 42-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and drug driving. He remains in police custody.”

Two fire engines also attended the scene with specialist response units and stayed there for around 20 minutes.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 6pm today (Sunday, March 22), fire crews were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Holcombe Road in Greenmount, Bury.

Crash on Holcombe Road (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

“Two fire engines from Bury and Ramsbottom, along with specialist response units, attended the scene, which involved two vehicles.

“Fire crews worked with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service to make the scene safe. Crews were in attendance for approximately 20 minutes.”

Celebrity Ex On The Beach returns in a matter of days with a cast including Helen Flanagan, Jedward’s John Grimes and Curtis Pritchard

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Reality enthusiasts have just days left to wait until a brand new season of Celebrity Ex On The Beach arrives, and today (March 23) they’ve been given a first glimpse at the drama to come.

A fourth season of the popular reality show will land on March 31 and it is already being described as the “most explosive” to date complete with “shocking arrivals, messy reunions and serious drama.” The series sees a group of celebrities heading to Tenerife in search of love, but their exes will be positioned and ready to join them.

Among the celebrities featured on the new season are Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan, TOWIE’s Dani Imbert, Love Island’s Toby Aromolaran and Curtis Pritchard, and one half of pop duo Jedward, John Grimes.

Also appearing on the show will be Married At First Sight UK’s Amy Kenyon, Too Hot to Handle’s Chase DeMoor and Izzy Fairthorne, footballer Ronnie Vint, TV personality Rogan O’Connor and Love Is Blind’s Freddie Powell.

Pop duo Jedward rose to fame on The X Factor and went on to have a profitable reality and music career, even representing Ireland twice at Eurovision, reports the Daily Star.

They have largely kept their dating lives out of the spotlight, but in a first trailer for Celebrity Ex On The Beach, viewers spotted John kissing a mystery woman. In the moment preceding the kiss, he says: “No one’s ever come close to what we had,” hinting that the brunette could be his ex.

Elsewhere in the footage, another Married At First Sight UK star, Reiss Boyce, also made an unexpected appearance. Reiss had a relationship with TOWIE’s Dani before his stint on the E4 show and the two could be seen having a tense exchange as Reiss held his head in his hands in tears.

A synopsis for the forthcoming series reads: “This season promises to be unmissable, with make‐ups, break‐ups, and unforgettable meltdowns from fan‐favourite reality stars including John Grimes, Curtis Pritchard, Helen Flanagan, Freddie Powell and Dani Imbert.

“From explosive confrontations to jaw‐dropping twists, one thing is certain: when the exes wash ashore, the truth always follows.”

Whilst the first episode of the series will debut on March 31, viewers will need to tune in weekly to watch new episodes of the show which will air on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland.

Celebrity Ex On The Beach Season 4 premieres Tuesday, March 31 on Paramount+ with new episodes released weekly.

The new routes aim to improve safety and connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians in Hartlepool, and are backed by £4.5 million in Government funding secured through the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

The first route will create a high-quality cycling corridor between Hartlepool town centre and Catcote Road via Burn Valley Gardens.

The second scheme will establish a direct connection from Hartlepool town centre to The Waterfront and its visitor attractions, linking with the promenade between the marina and Seaton Carew.

Designed by Hartlepool Borough Council’s engineering and highways teams and delivered by North-East contractor BCE Northern, the schemes have been independently ratified by Active Travel England and meet the latest national design standards.

Councillor Owen Riddle, chair of the council’s neighbourhoods and regulatory services committee, said: “These two new routes represent a major step forward in making Hartlepool a sustainable and more connected town.

“By investing in high-quality cycling infrastructure, we are not only improving travel choices for residents, students and visitors, but also supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing reliance on cars.

“This is a significant milestone in our long-term commitment to sustainable transport, and I’m delighted that work is about to get underway.

“I would like to thank council officers and all those members of the public who contributed to the design of these schemes.”

The first route will improve access to residential areas and public amenities, including Catcote Academy, Summerhill Country Park, English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College.

Key improvements along this route will include widened shared-use paths, upgraded and relocated crossings, a new raised zebra crossing on Brinkburn Road, cyclist-friendly traffic signals and improved streetlighting.

This route will connect with the existing on-road cycle path on Waldon Street, continue along Elwick Road, down Penryhn Street, and through Burn Valley Gardens before reaching Catcote Road.

Starting from the Hartlepool Transport Interchange, the second route will travel across Church Square, over the Marina Way bridge, along The Lanyard, behind the Mecca Bingo hall and onto Maritime Avenue.

Beyond Ensign Court, it will join the promenade and connect to National Cycle Network Route 14.

Construction is set to begin shortly, with the council encouraging residents to make use of the improved routes once they are completed.