BBC EastEnders star admits ‘struggle’ finding work as she shares update after shock exit
Former EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley, who has played Karen Taylor on the BBC soap, has been having to audition for new roles as a jobbing actor after leaving Walford
Soap favourite Lorraine Stanley has revealed a struggle she has while auditioning for acting work after her shock exit from EastEnders.
It was revealed earlier this year that Lorraine’s contract on the BBC soap was not to be renewed. And the actress confirmed she was therefore leaving her role of Karen Taylor.
Now the Walford fan favourite told her fans it hasn’t all been smooth sailing since departing Albert Square and shared her technical struggle of learning to do auditions on self tapes after seven years on the programme. EastEnders fans can currently watch her on-screen on the show as her impending exit is expected to be this Christmas with the actress already looking for other work.
EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley has been put to the test while trying to find acting jobs (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
The star shared a candid snap of a makeshift “audition room” at home, where she had been preparing to record self-taped audition videos for brand new roles from her loft. She told fans how Zack Morris, who played her on-screen son Keegan on the show and is now leading the cast of Disney+’s major US hit Goosebumps, has been helping her with her difficulty at working with technical equipment.
Alongside a snap of the chair surrounded by professional lighting equipment, Lorraine wrote: “Self tape setup in the loft, I’m so not technical but I’m proud I’ve managed to set it up all by myself, with advice on equipment by @_zack_morris. She added: “Just finished one and its hard work…”
The telly star also shared her worries over her work as she told her followers that she was being “highly critical” as she “struggled” with having to try out for new jobs after a long time of working on one project. Lorraine added: “I’ll get there, it’s a struggle watching yourself back & not being highly critical on yourself… just let it go & send it.”
Earlier this year, it emerged that Lorraine was left disappointed by show bosses decision to axe her from the soap. The 47-year old liked a string of tweets slamming the soap back in October when news of her exit was made public.
“I hate the way they’re making Karen so ridiculous,” said one fan when the announcement was made which she liked. Another she liked said: “I can’t believe they are getting rid of Karen. She’s comedy gold.”
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She liked a third tweet which suggested Karen’s new attitude led to the character getting the axe: “They’ve switched the vibe of your character from someone we loved the energy of to someone that we can’t stand to hear moan anymore.” And the EastEnders star liked another tweet which slammed the soap for their treatment of her and her on-screen son.
It said: “Absolutely ludicrous, poor Danny Walters came back for this? He was saying he hoped Sheanu got married. Even Lorraine Stanley is being thrown under the bus with it.”
Lorraine previously opened up about her exit, telling The Sun she is gutted to be leaving the soap, but added that now it’s sunk in, she’s also looking forward to future opportunities.. She said: “I was sad, it was a mix of emotions, it’s sad but it’s exciting as now I can go and do what I want.”
