Emmerdale's Amy Walsh and EastEnders' Toby Alexander-Smith engaged after Ibiza proposal

The BBC’s Morning Live star Kimberley Walsh, 40, has admitted she had a "weird" discovery when meeting the Queen for the first time in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.The presenter confessed the monarch reminded her of "her grandmother" and that the ever-composed royal was actually "very warm".Kimberley, who rose to fame in pop group Girls Aloud, met the Queen with the other members of her group following their set at the 100th Royal Variety Performance to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.Girls Aloud members, Kimberley, Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and the late Sarah Harding, who died of cancer last year, were all in attendance.Remembering the special moment when they met the monarch, Kimberley admitted she was “reminded of her grandmother”.“It's definitely a tick-box moment, isn't it, when you get to meet Her Majesty the Queen,” she said.“It was weird, because it was almost like she reminded me of my grandma in a really lovely way.“She carries herself so well - and my grandma always did.She was very warm.”Reflecting on photographs from the happy occasion, she continued: “I’m quite proud to have those pictures, because  now I'll appreciate them more and more as the years go by.”Kimberley also spoke about having a lot of time for Kate Middleton and Prince William, as she felt she was in a generation that “grew up with them”.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are both 40 years old - the same age as Kimberley - which is why the star feels such an affinity for the royal couple. Asked if she was a fan of the Royal Family, Kimberley replied: “Yeah, I love it.

Jaime Winstone has said playing a young Peggy Mitchell in a flashback episode of EastEnders will be an “amazing milestone” that “bookends” her journey with Dame Barbara Windsor. The matriarch of the Mitchell family was played by Dame Barbara for more than two decades after she joined the long-running soap in 1994 and became its biggest star, with her iconic catchphrase: "Get outta' my pub," when her character landlady of the Queen Vic. Dame Barbara died in December 2020 aged 83, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which she was diagnosed with in 2014.

Sid Owen is returning to Albert Square as EastEnders favourite Ricky Butcher after 10 years away from the soap.The actor, 50, said he is “delighted” to be reprising his role as Walford’s hapless mechanic after previously starring in the BBC series from 1988 until 2000, returning sporadically until 2012. Sid's character was involved in a number of high-profile storylines, perhaps most famously with his on-screen spouse Bianca Jackson played by Patsy Palmer.Their relationship was a hit with fans and their on-screen wedding drew an audience of more than 22 million.Talking about his return to the show, Sid said: “I’m delighted to back at EastEnders.

Former EastEnders icon Adam Woodyatt has reportedly landed a new role which will see him double his soap salary.The actor, who played Ian Beale in the BBC production, is set to star in the UK tour of My Fair Lady as Eliza Doolittle’s dustman dad Alfred.The part, which will see the 54 year old perform in 158 shows across nine months, is reportedly very well paid with Adam in line for a potential salary of £500,000. Each show will reportedly see the former EastEnders star earn £2,000 with added extras that could see him earn £3,500 a show depending on ticket sales. An industry insider told The Sun that at 70 per cent capacity he’ll get another £750, and another at 85 per cent.

The residents of Albert Square will say their final farewells to Dot Cotton in a special episode honouring the death of EastEnders stalwart June Brown, the BBC have said. Brown became a cultural fixture for her long-running turn as the inimitable Dot Branning – best known as Dot Cotton, the character’s previous married name – providing Walford with one of its best-loved and most memorable figures.The actress, who played the chain-smoking hypochondriac Dot for more than 30 years, died at her home on April 3 aged 95.

Ashvin Luximon has died at the young age of 38 after a suffering an aneurysm, his family has confirmed.The EastEnders star, who is best known for playing the character Asif Mailk in the soap, has been honoured by his family, who set up a tribute site where people can donate to the NSPCC or Andy's Man Club. "This site is a tribute to Ash, who passed on the 23rd July 2022 due to a aneurysm," they wrote.

AFTER a lot of love drama in Albert Square, Dana Monroe is set to explore new horizons as she gets ready for university. But next week in EastEnders, the youngster played by Barbara Smith makes a shock decision for her father Harvey Monroe.

Rose Ayling-Ellis has announced a new TV project following her departure from BBC One soap EastEnders.The 27 year old actress, who recently shared a string of BTS snaps from her time on EastEnders, is set to front a new BBC documentary titled Signs For Change, which will focus on the daily challenges and barriers faced by deaf individuals. Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose will explore "positive movement for societal change" and inclusion for deaf individuals, while also using her own experiences pushing for change.

Max George has broken his silence on his romance with Maisie Smith as he got a huge new tattoo. The Wanted singer, 33, and former EastEnders actress, 21, who first met while both appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, were recently spotted packing on the PDA while out shopping in London.

Eastenders' Cheryl Fergison, known for playing Heather Trott on the long-running show, has shown off a glam new look with a series of snaps posted to Instagram. The 56 year old actress was attending a 1940s weekend, and she looked the part in a flower printed midi-dress with simple black shoes and a black handbag, with a bandana knotted into her brown hair.

EastEnders is set to air a special flashback episode in September, which will see the history of the iconic Mitchell family unearthed for the first time. The one-off episode will transport viewers back to the winter of 1979 as the Mitchells attempt to navigate through economic turmoil in Britain.

Max George and Maisie Smith have been spotted getting cosier than ever as they enjoyed a sweet kiss together while out shopping for home furnishings. The Wanted singer, Max, 33, and soap actress Maisie, 21, sparked dating rumours earlier this month after reports emerged of them “snogging on a plane” during a recent holiday trip.

Maisie Smith was recently spotted leaving her Strictly Ballroom rehearsal.The former EastEnders star, 21, looked in good spirits as she left with her fellow cast mates after a gruelling nine hour session. Maisie sported black joggers, trainers and a tied shirt over an orange cropped top. The actress will be playing the lead role of Fran in the Strictly Ballroom: The Musical.

EastEnders' Toby-Alexander Smith and Emmerdale's Amy Walsh have enjoyed a romantic Mediterranean escape in Ibiza and have now announced their engagement. Amy uploaded pictures of a sunset dinner with the three photos, captioned: "Before, during, after" with the latter a picture boasting her new diamond ring as the pair beamed at the camera. Former Girls Aloud member and sister to Amy, Kimberly Walsh, was one of many celebrities to gush over the photo.The singer commented: "The best news", with some celebratory emojis.

Emmerdale actress Amy Walsh has announced she is now engaged to her partner and EastEnders Actor Toby-Alexander Smith. Amy, 34, who plays the role of Tracy Metcalfe in Emmerdale, first met her now-fiancé in the audience of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2019.

READ MORE: EastEnders viewers left stunned as Walford icon makes a surprise return to save Stuart Highway EastEnders' Lola Pearce star Danielle Harold immediately commented on the post and wrote: "Congratulations you guys xx". Callum Highway actor Tony Clay said: "Love this! Congrats mate!!".

Eastenders actor Toby-Alexander Smith (Gray Atkins) and Emmerdale's Amy Walsh (Tracy Metcalfe) shared their news on Instagram, flashing Amy's engagement ring in excitement.The real-life couple stunned soap fans as they excitedly celebrated their forthcoming vows.Toby shared a photo of the pair embracing, while Amy rested an engagement ring-clad hand on his chest."So this happened!" he shared with his 138,000 followers on Instagram.The pair first met by "pure chance" after connecting in the audience of a Strictly Come Dancing performance - and the rest is history for the loved-up couple."It was just pure chance that we were both there [on Strictly] that night sat in the front row," Amy told the world on an episode of Loose Women.She was less than subtle about her instant attraction to him, too."He walked in and sat next to me and I turned around to my friend and I was like, 'He's so fit'," a blushing Amy continued."She was like, 'I knew you'd say that straight away'," she added."Then we were just chatting all night and really got on."After sparks flew during their first meeting in 2019, they began a relationship and their first child, daughter Bonnie, arrived last Christmas.In spite of becoming pregnant during a global pandemic, the couple weren't deterred from being thrilled to meet the new arrival."We'd go on walks around the lake where Amy used to live in Leeds during lockdown and talk about names," Toby revealed to OK! magazine."Whenever we hypothetically talked about our family, we always said 'our little Bonnie,'" Amy reminisced to the same publication.Then, earlier this year, the pair had an epic family getaway in Ibiza to celebrate her mum Diane's 70th birthday.The party included Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh,

EastEnders star Toby-Alexander Smith has announced he is engaged to Emmerdale actress Amy Walsh. The actor, who played villain Gray Atkins in the BBC soap, popped the question to his Bradford-born girlfriend and announced the news on social media.

Emmerdale as Tracy Metcalfe since July 2014.On Tuesday (August 23), Toby uploaded a photo of the couple and captioned it: "So this happened…"READ NEXT: EastEnders most dramatic moments - Wedding heartbreak, brutal cliff push and murderHe shared a sweet snap of the couple smiling on a beach after the actress said 'yes'.Friends and fans flocked to the comment section to support the TV pair.One fan wrote: "Awww congratulations to you both."A second added: "Aw such wonderful news Congratulations to you both xxx"While a third penned: "Oh wow Congratulations to you both.""Shut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuupp!!!!!!!!!!’nn ur number one midwife is so so happy for you!!!!! Congratulations x x x," a fourth shared. A fifth put: "Awww fantastic news.