EastEnders favourite Shrimpy stunned fans after his real-life mother made a surprise cameo during the Mother’s Day episode. The long-standing market trader enjoyed a glass of champagne with his mum. And Alfie Moon introduced her to viewers. And it is also a rare spotlight for one of Walford’s most loyal and consistent background characters. Keep scrolling to learn more
Shrimpy Shares The Screen With A Familiar Face
The Mother’s Day-themed episode revealed Shrimy’s mum during a scene at the market. The trader, played by Ben Champniss, has been a regular background presence in Waford. Over the years, Shrimpy has been one of the few background traders who have consistently appeared in Albert Square.
Viewers have often spotted the familiar hat when Shrimpy chats with neighbours like Peter Beale, Penny Branning and Billy Mitchell. During the episode, Alfie Moon greeted the pair while serving champagne. Alfie asked, “Alright, Shrimpy, lovely to meet your mum for the first time. What do we call you, Crabby?”
However, this time there was a twist in the surprise scene. The woman who appeared as Shrimpy’s mum wasn’t just a guest actor. The role was played by Champniss’s real-life mum Jackie. After the episode aired, Ben shared about it with his followers on Instagram. The actor wrote, “Shrimpy and his mum don’t arf look like my mum and me in today’s episode of EastEnders..! (Don’t blink)”
Adding further, he wrote, “Happy Mother’s Day, Walford..! What an incredible morning we had! Makes a change from the usual Mother’s Day flowers, eh ‘Crabby’…?!” Even Jackie commented, “Such a good experience, loved it! It was great to see your ‘other life’, Ben! x”
Ben Champniss Reassures Fans About Shrimpy’s Future In EastEnders
Shrimpy has appeared regularly for more than a decade. However, he hasnt received a major storyline of his own. Hence, some viewers wonder whether he might quietly just disappear from the Square. There was a social media post celebrating 10 years on the show, and fans asked him questions. “Are you leaving Ender’s? X.” Champniss replied, “Absolutely not!”
In the post Ben wrote, “10 years today since my hat and I marched up Turpin Road, down Bridge Street and into The Queen Vic, Walford! Cheers, Shrimpy, you’ve changed my life!” Meanwhile, do you like Shrimpy’s character? Let us know in the comments section. For more EastEnders spoilers and updates keep following Soap Opera Daily.