EASTENDERS legend Michelle Ryan has been left devastated after being rocked by a family tragedy.

The actress, famed for her role as Zoe Slater on the BBC soap opera, confirmed the sad news that her grandmother had passed away.

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EastEnders legend Michelle Ryan has been rocked by a shock family lossCredit: BBC

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She revealed her grandmother had passed awayCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Michelle shared a photo of her by her grandmother’s bedside as well as a selection of throwback snaps of Doreen.

Writing to confirm the sad news, Michelle said: “It is with great sadness that I share my grandmother passed away today early this morning.”

Michelle then admitted she “had a feeling” that she should visit Doreen and so decided to pay her a visit just 24 hours before her passing.

The star continued: “I got the feeling that I had to go and see her early yesterday morning, as ever timing is everything, as I got to say goodbye to her even though she couldn’t respond and played her some of her favourite music. Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

“She reached a grand old age and lived for her family especially her grandchildren.

“She even met many of her great grandchildren! So many wonderful childhood memories. Rest in peace Doreen.”

Michelle was immediately inundated with messages from her followers who were quick to share their condolences.

One fan penned: “Ah sorry to hear this, condolences on you and your family’s loss, RIP to her. Hope she passed on peacefully!”

Another added: “My heart aches for you and your family during this difficult time. Please accept my deepest condolences. Sending you and your family my love and prayers.”

Before a third added: “So sorry. May her memory be blessed and the family remember all beautiful moments and values with her alive. RIP.”

The Sun talks to Michelle Ryan

Michelle played Zoe Slater in EastEnders from 2000 until her last appearance in 2005.

The beloved character was involved in major storylines which included the memorable ‘You aint my mother’ shouting match with mum Kat (Jessie Wallace).

He other major storyline included a romance with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman)

This came at the behest of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), whose father Den (Leslie Grantham) had a vested interest.

Most complained about soap storylines

Over the years, all three of the main soaps have featured plots that have had even die-hard fans reaching for their phones and laptops so they can get in touch with Ofcom and complain. Here are just some of the most scandalous…

EastEnders baby theft: 13,400 Ofcom complaints – Back in 2011, EastEnders was flooded with complaints when Ronnie Branning (RIP) swapped her baby for the dead son of Kat Moon. The storyline drew the most number of objections in the soap’s long history and saw it roundly criticised by campaigners – with 13,400 flying in over the course of the storyline. Some viewers called it “distressing” and “horrific” but Ofcom ruled the scenes were not “unduly disturbing”.
Emmerdale dog-napping: 550 Ofcom complaints – Back in 2016, Ross Barton and Charity Dingle came up with a plan to steal a dog and hold it ransom – but viewers didn’t like it one bit. The nation’s pet owners rose up, insisting the storyline would encourage copycats (not to mention copydogs). Complaints over two episodes totalled a staggering 550 and soap writers quickly learnt you don’t mess with animal-lovers.
Coronation Street double murder: 546 Ofcom complaints – Marginally less people complained about a gruesome double murder than objected to a dog-napping plot when Pat Phelan was at the centre of a spate of killings. First he forced Andy Carver to shoot dead Vinny Ashford – and then Pat killed Andy. All the bloodshed back in 2017 proved to be too much for some viewers, who lodged complaints in vast numbers about the “violent scenes”.

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The Zoe Slater star confirmed she visited her grandma before her passingCredit: Instagram