Karen Taylor will plant a kiss on Billy Mitchell’s lips at New Year.
‘EastEnders’ viewers will see the 42-year-old no-nonsense launderette worker – played by Lorraine Stanley – counting down the seconds to midnight at the Queen Vic’s New Year party and give an unsuspecting Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) a quick smooch as she heads into 2019.
The surprise kiss comes after Lorraine previously revealed her character would be locking lips with someone to see in the net 12 months in style.
She said: "In true Karen Taylor style, she’s at The Vic at New Year, tucking into the food and drink, she’s the life and soul. She also plants a kiss on someone, so she sees in the New Year the way only Karen can.
"There’s also a moment on New Year’s Eve where we really see Karen’s true colours and the love she has for her children. I really love that moment."
This news comes after it was recently confirmed Karen Taylor’s daughter is set to arrive in Walford in 2019.
The Taylor family look set to get more rowdy next year as Karen and Mitch Baker’s (Roger Griffiths) offspring Chantelle rocks up in Albert Square.
Kate Oates, senior executive producer of ‘EastEnders’ ‘Casualty’ and ‘Holby City’, said: "The Taylor family are set to be complete when Chantelle arrives in Walford and Chantelle certainly has that feisty Taylor streak.
"Things are set to get a whole lot louder in Walford in 2019."
Casting for Chantelle is yet to be announced, but the character is said to have a kind and bubbly nature as well as a no-nonsense streak, much like her opinionated mother.
Karen and Mitch will be delighted to see Chantelle at first but it will become apparent there is some friction between mother and daughter.
EastEnders’ Karen Taylor kisses Billy Mitchell at New Year
