'I am absolutely over the moon': Mica Paris reveals she has signed up to EastEnders and is set to portray 'formidable' character Ellie Nixon
Mica Paris is set to join EastEnders as Ellie Nixon, it was reported on Thursday.
According to a report from The Sun, the singer, 51, will make her first appearance on the soap in September, and her character is allegedly going to ruffle feathers when she enters Albert Square.
Gushing about getting the part to the publication, Mica said: 'I am absolutely over the moon to be in EastEnders.'
'I am absolutely over the moon': Mica Paris revealed on Thursday that she has signed up to EastEnders and is set to portray 'formidable' character Ellie Nixon
Mica claimed she'd been a fan 'since its first episode', as she added: 'My character the formidable Ellie Nixon, is a new frontier for me as an actress - a lot of folks will see me as never before.'
A source speaking to the publication went on to say EastEnders bosses wanted to kick off the show's return with a 'bang' by casting Mica in the role, as she'll bring 'the spark' to the soap.
They said: 'Her character is fiery and passionate and will take no prisoners. Walford won’t know what’s hit it.'
MailOnline contacted Mica's representatives for further comment, who confirmed that Mica will be playing a gangster in the soap.
Exciting opportunity: The singer will make her first appearance on the soap in September, and her character is allegedly going to ruffle feathers when she enters Albert Square
Celebration: Mica rejoiced in the casting news with friends Andrew Richardson, Dameon Sandhu, and Martin Bikhit at Home House, a private members club in London on Wednesday
Mica found fame in the 80s with hits such as My One Temptation and Where is the Love. Her debut album So Good was platinum-selling.
She's also been a hit on TV, taking over from Trinny and Susannah for two seasons of What Not To Wear and had a Radio 2 show called Mica Meets.
The mother-of-two also appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, getting to the semi-finals, and has had parts in West End musicals such as Fame.
Pop icon: Mica found fame in the 80s with hits such as My One Temptation and Where is the Love. Her debut album So Good was platinum-selling (pictured in 2014)
However there have been tough times as well. In 2001 her brother was shot dead after his girlfriend rejected his killer’s advances.
In July, Mica revealed how she was 'overwhelmed with sadness' and broke down crying after visiting a tiny cellar once used to hide slaves who were on the run.
The singer went to the Slave Haven Underground Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, while filming her BBC documentary, The Gospel According To Mica.
Emotional: In July, Mica revealed how she was 'overwhelmed with sadness' and broke down crying after visiting a tiny cellar once used to hide slaves who were on the run for a new show
She explained how being at the emotional location made her feel 'angry' and reflect on the racism her ancestors had suffered.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Mica said: 'Afterwards, I felt overwhelmed with intense sadness and anger. I couldn't help but cry.'
Mica added: 'It did make me angry. It made me realise what my ancestors had gone through and the racism they suffered and how it was no different for me.
'It's like a Jewish person going to visit Auschwitz. It was no different at all.'
While at the museum Mica also learnt about activist Harriet Tubman, who helped 700 slaves find freedom.
The trip was part of the filming for her upcoming documentary about Gospel music, with Mica being a big fan of the genre and brought up on the music.
History: The singer explained how the visit 'made me realise what my ancestors had gone through and the racism they suffered' (pictured in March 2019)
According to a report from The Sun, the singer, 51, will make her first appearance on the soap in September, and her character is allegedly going to ruffle feathers when she enters Albert Square.
Gushing about getting the part to the publication, Mica said: 'I am absolutely over the moon to be in EastEnders.'
'I am absolutely over the moon': Mica Paris revealed on Thursday that she has signed up to EastEnders and is set to portray 'formidable' character Ellie Nixon
Mica claimed she'd been a fan 'since its first episode', as she added: 'My character the formidable Ellie Nixon, is a new frontier for me as an actress - a lot of folks will see me as never before.'
A source speaking to the publication went on to say EastEnders bosses wanted to kick off the show's return with a 'bang' by casting Mica in the role, as she'll bring 'the spark' to the soap.
They said: 'Her character is fiery and passionate and will take no prisoners. Walford won’t know what’s hit it.'
MailOnline contacted Mica's representatives for further comment, who confirmed that Mica will be playing a gangster in the soap.
Exciting opportunity: The singer will make her first appearance on the soap in September, and her character is allegedly going to ruffle feathers when she enters Albert Square
Celebration: Mica rejoiced in the casting news with friends Andrew Richardson, Dameon Sandhu, and Martin Bikhit at Home House, a private members club in London on Wednesday
Mica found fame in the 80s with hits such as My One Temptation and Where is the Love. Her debut album So Good was platinum-selling.
She's also been a hit on TV, taking over from Trinny and Susannah for two seasons of What Not To Wear and had a Radio 2 show called Mica Meets.
The mother-of-two also appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, getting to the semi-finals, and has had parts in West End musicals such as Fame.
Pop icon: Mica found fame in the 80s with hits such as My One Temptation and Where is the Love. Her debut album So Good was platinum-selling (pictured in 2014)
However there have been tough times as well. In 2001 her brother was shot dead after his girlfriend rejected his killer’s advances.
In July, Mica revealed how she was 'overwhelmed with sadness' and broke down crying after visiting a tiny cellar once used to hide slaves who were on the run.
The singer went to the Slave Haven Underground Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, while filming her BBC documentary, The Gospel According To Mica.
Emotional: In July, Mica revealed how she was 'overwhelmed with sadness' and broke down crying after visiting a tiny cellar once used to hide slaves who were on the run for a new show
She explained how being at the emotional location made her feel 'angry' and reflect on the racism her ancestors had suffered.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Mica said: 'Afterwards, I felt overwhelmed with intense sadness and anger. I couldn't help but cry.'
Mica added: 'It did make me angry. It made me realise what my ancestors had gone through and the racism they suffered and how it was no different for me.
'It's like a Jewish person going to visit Auschwitz. It was no different at all.'
While at the museum Mica also learnt about activist Harriet Tubman, who helped 700 slaves find freedom.
The trip was part of the filming for her upcoming documentary about Gospel music, with Mica being a big fan of the genre and brought up on the music.
History: The singer explained how the visit 'made me realise what my ancestors had gone through and the racism they suffered' (pictured in March 2019)