Beeb grooms Kat for stardom

The BBC is grooming pregnant EastEnders star Jessie Wallace to be the next big star of the network.

16:13 06 August 2004

The BBC is grooming pregnant EastEnders star Jessie Wallace to be the next big star of the network.

BBC chiefs have reportedly told the actress that she has a big future with the corporation.

Jessie, 32, who plays barmaid Kat Slater in the soap, insisted she does not intend to quit EastEnders, but wanted to pursue other projects.

The actress will go on maternity leave soon but is returning to the prime time show in January.

"Four months might not sound much time to have off, but Jessie is determined to get back at work as soon as possible," a BBC source told the Daily Mirror.