EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks has learnt to be ‘kinder to herself’ after years of no confidence

EastEnders' Charlie Brooks has revealed that she has learnt to be "kinder to herself" after years of being "plagued by a lack of confidence".

The 41 year old actress, who is best-known for playing the conniving Janine Butcher in EastEnders, has opened up about her life in a new candid interview.

Speaking to The Sun, Charlie said: "I’ve always feared not being good enough, both professionally and personally – a feeling of not quite belonging has held me back and stopped me from reaching my potential.

"Winning the part of Janine Butcher in EastEnders in 1999, when I was 17, meant I didn’t go to drama school – and a lot of the insecurity I’ve felt throughout my career has stemmed from that. I’ve often questioned whether I truly deserved to be where I am."

Charlie, who has also had a "difficult relationship" with her body, went on to admit she has "doubted herself endlessly as a parent" to daughter Kiki, 18, adding: "Our relationship through her teen years was turbulent and I felt I was failing as a mum."

At 40, the star said she "found herself at a breaking point" in her life and realised "something needed to change".

Charlie gave up alcohol in 2020, which transformed her life, and since then has "got to know, trust and even like myself", which has also allowed her to "step outside my comfort zone".

It comes as Charlie recently discussed her business venture away from acting, revealing she has been working with Ann Summers for several years to develop revolutionary new sex toy The U.

The actress bowed out of EastEnders over Christmas after her character, Janine, was arrested following Mick Carter's (played by Danny Dyer) disappearance at sea.

Taking to Instagram at the time, Charlie wrote over her BBC One soap exit: "That was fun. Laughed most of the way. Had the BEST time. Sorry for being such a b***h. Will miss the EE fam. Old friends and new. So much love for you all."

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