Linda Valiris (née Henry; born 24 August 1959) is an English actress, known for her roles as Yvonne Atkins in the ITV prison drama series Bad Girls and Shirley Carter in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She had previously appeared in EastEnders as the original Lorraine Salter, the mother of Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton), from 1991 to 1992; her former Bad Girls co-star Victoria Alcock took over the role on the character's return in 2012. Her other acting credits include Cracker (1995), Prime Suspect (1997) and Trial & Retribution (1998). She has also appeared in the films Beautiful Thing (1996) and The Business (2005).
Early life Henry was born on 24 August 1959 and was brought up in Peckham, London. She spent some time with the Old Vic Youth Theatre. At 17, she went to the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
Career In 1996, Henry played Sandra in the film Beautiful Thing. In 1999, Henry began portraying Yvonne Atkins in the ITV prison series Bad Girls, a role she played until she quit the series in 2003. She has appeared in various other British television programmes including The Bill, Birds of a Feather, Touching Evil, Cracker, A Touch of Frost, Trial & Retribution as Marilyn Spark and EastEnders, where she played Lorraine Salter, the mother of Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton). She also appeared in British film The Business, alongside Danny Dyer.
On 8 September 2006, it was announced Henry would be returning to EastEnders in a different role, this time playing Shirley Carter, mother to Carly (Kellie Shirley) and Deano (Matt Di Angelo) and ex-wife of Kevin (Phil Daniels). Dyer, whom she had worked with previously, was cast in 2013 as Shirley's son Mick. In late 2022, Henry embarked on what was initially described as an "extended break" from EastEnders. She was expected to return, but in July 2025, reports emerged that she had no intention of reprising the role. That same month, she appeared as Pam in the second series of Mr. Bigstuff, once again working with Dyer.
Personal life Henry married Stavros Valiris in 1992. Their daughter was born in 1993.
In 2014, she was arrested for racially aggravated harassment. Henry pleaded not guilty and stood trial on 11 February 2015 at Bexley Magistrates' Court in south London. She was later cleared of all charges.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1988 For Queen & Country Kim 1993 Don't Leave Me This Way Janet Weir 1996 Beautiful Thing Sandra Gangel 2005 The Business Shirley
Television Year Title Role Notes 1982 The Young Ones Girl at party Episode: "Interesting" 1988 Rockliffe's Babies Sharon Hagerty Episode: "A Trip to the Zoo" 1988 Screen Two The Comic Strip Presents... Jackie 1988–1990 Eurocops Linda Jackson 3 episodes1989 Forever Green Doc Series 1 Episode 4 The Nineteenth Hole Council tenant Series 1 Episode 7 1990 The Play on One Carol Fairwater Episode: "Yellowbacks" Birds of a Feather Viv McCarthy Episode: "Falling in Love Again" 1991–1992 EastEnders Lorraine Salter Guest role 1992 The Bill Carol Armfield Episode: "Part of the Furniture" 1993 Cracker Mrs. Perry Episode: "One Day a Lemming Will Fly Part 1" The Bill Anne Riley Episode: "Desperate Remedies" 1994 Moving Story Sheila Roebuck Episode: "Charlotte, Emma, Bamber and Anne" Casualty Diane Daw Episode: "Blood's Thicker" 1995 Prime Suspect: The Scent of Darkness Forensic Scientist Television film An Independent Man Julie Read 4 episodes The Bill Chrissie Root Episode: "For Services Rendered" 1996 A Touch of Frost Sue Venables Episode: "Playing the Price" 1997 Touching Evil Justine Barber Episode: "Deadly Web: Part 2" Born to Run Judith Series 1 Episode 3 1998 Trial & Retribution Marilyn Spark 2 episodes 1999–2003 Bad Girls Yvonne Atkins 57 episodes 2006–2022 EastEnders Shirley Carter Series regular; 1,529 episodes 2008 Children in Need Housemaid Episode #1.29 2010 EastEnders: E20 Shirley Carter 5 episodes 2025 Mr. Bigstuff Pam Guest role
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2003 9th National Television Awards Most Popular Actress Bad Girls 2007 TVQuick & TVChoice Awards Best Soap Newcomer EastEnders 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership (with Cheryl Fergison) EastEnders 2008 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership (with Fergison) EastEnders 2008 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress EastEnders 2008 Inside Soap Awards Best Bitch EastEnders 2009 Inside Soap Awards Best Bitch EastEnders 2012 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress EastEnders 2013 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Female EastEnders 2014 2014 British Soap Awards Best Comedy Performance EastEnders 2015 20th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance EastEnders 2022 2022 British Soap Awards Best Leading Performer EastEnders
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