Patsy Palmer has been a familiar face on British television for decades, best known for her iconic role as Bianca Jackson on EastEnders.
But there's more to the fiery redhead from Walford than soap opera stardom.
Born and raised in East London, Patsy has transitioned from the spotlight of UK tabloids to the serene lifestyle of California, where she now lives with her family including her children Charley Palmer Rothwell, Emilia Merkell and Fenton Merkell.
With a career that’s spanned acting, DJing, and wellness advocacy, Patsy has reinvented herself multiple times—moving from the chaos of Albert Square to the calm of Malibu.
But as she takes on a new challenge as a contestant on the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother, we've taken a deeper look into why she left the UK behind, her real name, and what life is like for her now.
What is Patsy Palmer's real name?
Many fans don’t realise that Patsy Palmer is actually a stage name. In fact, Patsy was born Julie Anne Harris on May 26, 1972, in Bethnal Green, East London.
The name Patsy was reportedly inspired by her mother, who gave her the nickname early in life. When she began acting professionally, she adopted Patsy Palmer as her stage identity—a name that stuck and became iconic in British popular culture.
Interestingly, when she's outside the UK, she still goes by her legal married name, Julie Merkell.
On a recent episode of Celebrity Big Brother, fans were left stunned when the actress spoke openly about her real name. She also mentioned that her family rarely call her Patsy and often refer to her as Julie.
When fans discovered Patsy's real name, they headed straight over to social media site X to share their thoughts. One viewer said: "The whole of the UK when Patsy just casually dropped the bomb that her real name is Julie… girl, WHAT."
Another also penned: "I actually cannot believe Patsy Palmer’s real name is Julie."
What is Patsy Palmer's net worth?
Patsy's long and diverse career has earned her an estimated net worth of £9.3 million (approx. $11.7 million USD as of 2025).
She first rose to fame with her role as Natasha in Grange Hill before becoming a household name on EastEnders in the early '90s. She won the British Soap Award for Best Actress in 2000 and remained one of the show's standout stars for years.
After stepping away from regular acting work, she reinvented herself as a DJ and wellness advocate, even launching her own lifestyle brand focused on clean living and mental health.
According to recent reports, Patsy has the second highest net worth amongst her fellow contestants in the CBB house. Meanwhile Jojo Siwa comes in first place with a net worth of £ 15.1million.
Why did Patsy Palmer move to LA?
Patsy, who is a mother of four and is married to Richard Merkell made the life-changing move with her family from the UK to Malibu, California in 2014.
The decision was motivated by a desire for a healthier lifestyle, a break from the intense UK media scene and better opportunities for her children abroad.
In several interviews, Patsy has emphasised that moving to LA allowed her to reset her life and prioritise her sobriety, mental health, and family well-being. She has embraced yoga, meditation, and a clean-living philosophy since the move.
Even though Patsy is still filming for EastEnders, the star admitted that she doesn't plan to move back to the UK any time soon. She told Daily Mail: "I don't think I would live in England again. I would like to experience something else in life but I'm not too sure if I will."
Celebrity Big Brother airs Sunday to Friday at 9pm on ITV1
