Lynne Hobbs
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2011) |
| Lynne Hobbs | |
|---|---|
| EastEnders character | |
Hayley Slater |
Lynne Slater (also Hobbs) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Elaine Lordan. The character appears between 18 September 2000 and 2 July 2004. Lynne is a fierce judge of right and wrong, although she is not always able to practise what she preaches. She has a turbulent relationship with husband Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves), but despite her complaints about him, it ends up being Lynne's adultery that puts their relationship in jeopardy long before Garry strays.
Storylines
Lynne is the eldest of the Slater sisters and she arrives in
Lynne is in a relationship with hapless mechanic, Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) and spends much of her time despairing over Garry's inability to fully commit to their relationship. All Lynne really wants is to marry Garry, settle down and raise a family but while Garry loves Lynne, he is reluctant to lose his "bachelor status" and he spends much of his time dodging Lynne's 'hints' about marriage. However, Lynne (and the rest of the Slaters) wear Garry down and the two eventually get engaged. Lynne works in Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) café and often clashes with co-worker, Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), who regularly slacks off work and flirts with Garry to irritate her. This culminates in Lynne eventually getting Janine fired and the two become enemies thereafter.
In 2001, Lynne becomes friends with womanising club owner
In 2003, another affair jeopardises Lynne's marriage, but this time it is Garry who strays. Garry has drunken sex with
Lynne and Garry reconcile and in 2004, Lynne becomes pregnant and a scan confirms that she is expecting a girl, and they plan to name her Vivienne after Lynne's late mother,
Lynne and Garry later divorce and in 2007, the Slaters hear that Lynne is happily engaged. In January 2011, Charlie leaves Walford to live with Lynne. In January 2016, Lynne attends Charlie's funeral off-screen. On the Christmas Day episode of 2018, Lynne (portrayed by Isabelle Jones) makes a brief reappearance during a dream sequence in a flashback to Kat's childhood.
Creation and development
In 2000, EastEnders' executive producer
Lordan was cast in the role of Lynne after the character was developed at an improvisation session for thirty actors and actresses earlier in the year.[citation needed] The character was described as "feisty", "a loud mouth" and "no nonsense".[citation needed]
On 15 December 2003, it was announced that Lynne would be departing the following year. The decision was a mutual decision between Lordan and show producers and Lynne departed in July 2004.[2]
Reception
In 2020, Sara Wallis and Ian Hyland from The Daily Mirror placed Lynne 86th on their ranked list of the best EastEnders characters of all time and commented on how her tragedy at "the Great Fairground Disaster of 2004".[3]
In popular culture
The character of Lynne Hobbs has been
Also, impressionist Alistair McGowan has impersonated Lynne working in the cafe, in his comedy show, The Big Impression.
References
- ^ a b c d "Seven move in to Albert Square". BBC News Online. BBC Online. 30 August 2000. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
- ^ "EastEnders star Lordan to leave". 15 December 2003.
- ^ Sara Wallis; Ian Hyland (12 June 2020). "100 Best EastEnders characters ever". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 October 2023.