Jacqui Gordon Lawrence – who played Etta Tavernier on EastEnders – has completely changed careers since leaving the BBC soap (Image: BBC)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeEastEnders’ Etta Tavernier, played by Jacqui Gordon-Lawrence, was a memorable character who joined the soap with her entire family – a first for the show. However, it’s been 28 years since we last saw her on our screens. Jacqui portrayed Etta from 1990 to 1994, during which time her character grappled with significant storylines such as marital issues and faith crises. Etta, a mother of three and teacher at Walford Primary School, exited the storyline in 1992 when her husband Celestine (Leroy Golding) received a promotion in Norwich. Nevertheless, Jacqui reprised her role briefly in 1994 for a plot centred around her children.
Jacqui Gordon-Lawrence made her EastEnders debut as Etta Tavernier with the rest of the Tavernier family in 1990
(Image: BBC)
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Post-EastEnders, Jacqui made appearances in several TV shows, including the 1998 mini-series Close Relations and an episode of ITV’s The Bill in 2001. This police drama marked her final credited acting role before she transitioned to a completely different career. Now a recognised police station representative, Jacqui began working for South London’s Wainwright and Cummins LLP solicitors in 2008. The former EastEnders actress set up shop in Hayes, South East London, alongside her ex-boxing champion partner Horace Notice, with whom she has two daughters, Naomi and Amelia, reports MyLondon. These days, Jacqui’s Instagram bio reveals her new career as a London-based psychotherapist. In one of her selfies, she rocks a stylish grey bob with a blunt fringe, flashing a smile at the camera. The ex-soap star frequently shares uplifting quotes and motivational messages on her account. The Instagram biography reads: “Mental health can be challenging. I will walk with you through the healing process. We all have the ability to heal ourselves.”
Jacqui Gordon-Lawrence is now a London-based psychotherapist
(Image: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)
Jacqui Gordon Lawrence left EastEnders in 1994
(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, Etta’s children on the soap went on to continue acting, with Clyde Tavernier played by Steven Woodcock. The now-60 year old played DC Wignall in the short-lived series The Knock four years after leaving the soap and competed on Pointless Celebrities in 2022. He has also appeared in a number of stage productions – including The Taming of the Shrew and musical Oh Babylon. Etta’s daughter Hattie Tavernier was played by Michelle Gayle, who went onto become a chart-topping singer. Before joining the BBC soap, Michelle took on roles in Grange Hill, London’s Burning and Press Gang. After leaving EastEnders, Michelle took part in ITV reality show Reborn in the USA, Channel 4’s The Games and Eurovision – Your Decision, where she competed to become the UK’s act in the 2008 singing competition. She came in second place behind Andy Abraham. EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayerStory SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnCharlie BrooksAdam WoodyattEastEndersDrama
