Patsy Palmer has been a familiar face on British television for decades, best known for her iconic role as Bianca Jackson on EastEnders.

But there's more to the fiery redhead from Walford than soap opera stardom.

Born and raised in East London, Patsy has transitioned from the spotlight of UK tabloids to the serene lifestyle of California, where she now lives with her family including her children Charley Palmer Rothwell, Emilia Merkell and Fenton Merkell.

With a career that’s spanned acting, DJing, and wellness advocacy, Patsy has reinvented herself multiple times—moving from the chaos of Albert Square to the calm of Malibu.

But as she takes on a new challenge as a contestant on the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother, we've taken a deeper look into why she left the UK behind, her real name, and what life is like for her now.

Many fans don’t realise that Patsy Palmer is actually a stage name. In fact, Patsy was born Julie Anne Harris on May 26, 1972, in Bethnal Green, East London.

The name Patsy was reportedly inspired by her mother, who gave her the nickname early in life. When she began acting professionally, she adopted Patsy Palmer as her stage identity—a name that stuck and became iconic in British popular culture.