Jessie Wallace was born in Enfield, North London, and originally trained as a make-up artist, working at the Royal Shakespeare Company. She retrained as an actress and graduated from The Poor School in 1999 winning her first TV role in THE BILL shortly afterwards.

Jessie is best known for her role as the Kat Slater in EASTENDERS between 2000 and 2005, returning to the show in the autumn of 2010. Other television credits include the role of Amy Kriel in the third series of ITV’s WILD AT HEART (Company Pictures/itv); DINNER PARTY (BBC) with Lee Evans and Alison Steadman; MARIE LLOYD (Hat Trick) for BBC Four and A CLASS APART (BBC) opposite Nathaniel Parker. In December 2010 Jessie played Pat Phoenix, in THE ROAD TO CORONATION STREET, a one-off itv documentary exploring the origins and conception of Coronation Street, to mark the show’s 50th anniversary. For which she was BAFTA Nominated.

Jessie made her West End theatre debut, in the role of Maureen in RENT REMIXED at the Duke of York’s Theatre (2007 -2008). Other theatre credits include HAUNTED (Arts Theatre) and the 25th Anniversary UK tour production of STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris, playing the role of Sylvia. Jessie recently returned to the theatre playing Lil in Theatre Royal Stratford East’s musical production of FINGS AIN’T WOT THEY USED T’BE directed by Terry Johnson.

Jessie has been a well-known television face for over ten years and has won a number of industry awards, including an NTA and TRIC award. She has made guest appearances on shows including the French & Saunders Christmas special, & The Friday Night Project to name but a few. Jessie featured with Sir Bruce Forsyth in a musical BBC1 Christmas Special 2014.

Jessie Wallace is a patron of the theatre charity The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America.