Linda Henry


Linda Valiris 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, 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, Prime Suspect and Trial & Retribution. She has also appeared in the films Beautiful Thing and The Business.

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. 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 and Deano and ex-wife of Kevin. 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.