Born:
May 03, 1981
in
Ware, Hertfordshire
Best Known For:
Playing Janine in EastEnders.
Early-life:
Born Charlene Emma Brooks on May 3, 1981, in Ware, Hertfordshire. She moved to Barmouth in Wales when she was a child with her mother Roe, brother Ben and sister Beth. Charlie and her brother went on to live with another family in London for a period when they attended Ravenscourt Theatre School. She began attending Arts Educational when she was 16 and was a student there when she landed the role of Janine Butcher in EastEnders.
Career:
Brooks first played the scheming Janine in 1999 and stayed with the role until 2004. After briefly turning up in the soap in April 2008, she returned on a more permanent basis in December 2008. Away from Albert Square, Charlie has appeared in The Bill, London's Burning, Jonathan Creek and The Demon Headmaster. In 2006, she played the title role in Beverley Allitt: Angel of Death. She took part in the Christmas 2011 edition of Strictly Come Dancing, and in 2012, she became the queen of the jungle after winning I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! After taking a break from EastEnders Brooks returned to the soap in April 2013, but left again in March 2014. Away from acting, she has released a best-selling fitness DVD.
Quote:
"I have days where I feel super-sexy and days when I feel fat and really ugly."
Trivia:
Brooks has won a number of gongs at the British Soap Awards, All About Soap Awards and Inside Soap Awards.