EastEnders star lifts lid on ‘confusing’ auditions fans would never expect

EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders star lifts the lid on what auditions for the BBC soap are really like, revealing surprising behind-the-scenes secrets fans of the hit show won’t expect

An EastEnders legend has lifted the lid on what auditions for one of the nation’s favourite soaps are really like. She’s revealed behind-the-scenes secrets from the BBC hit that are set to surprise fans.

Clair Norris has now revealed the unusually “confusing” audition process that landed her long running role as Bernie Taylor, admitting she went through five separate rounds before finally securing the part in one of the soap’s most secretive family castings.

Speaking to Daily Star in collaboration with casino.org, the former soap actress looked back on her early days on the BBC soap, explaining she had no idea what she was stepping into when she first auditioned while still studying at college, believing it would be a one off experience rather than a months long selection process.

“I actually auditioned five times for the role of Bernie,” Clair said. “The whole Taylor family were all auditioning at the same time, and we all had very different experiences. I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first ever audition.”

She admitted the repeated callbacks initially left her unsure whether she was even progressing, with each stage bringing a new surprise. “Every time they said, ‘this is the last one’, I’d think okay, and then I’d get called back the next week. I was grateful, but also confused, like what’s happening?”

One of the most unusual parts of the process involved improv workshops, where producers tested chemistry between potential family members in real time.

“It was mostly improv. The second audition was a workshop with other auditionees. They were looking for the brother, sister and mum, so we were going in and out of rooms working with different people.”

During this stage, Clair met future co stars including Danny Walters and Zack Morris, who was already involved with the show as part of the casting panel process. “We did a lot of improv over a couple of months until I found out I had got the part,” she said.

Looking back, she now understands why the process was so detailed.

“I thought that was just how it worked, but everyone else said their EastEnders audition was completely different. Mine just kept going. But they had to get it right because it was for the whole Taylor family, not just one character.”

Clair went on to spend eight years on the soap, from 2917 – 2025, becoming part of some of EastEnders’ biggest storylines. She says her early nerves quickly gave way to strong friendships and unforgettable memories on set.

“I remember walking into the makeup room and seeing June Brown. I just thought, okay, this is really happening now. I was nervous, but so excited.”

One of her standout memories remains the Pride episode, which she says felt more like a real event than filming a drama. “It didn’t feel like acting at all. Everything felt so real, especially with the live performance happening around us.”

Clair also paid tribute to her on screen family, particularly Lorraine Stanley, who played Karen Taylor. “She honestly felt like a second mum to me. She helped me with everything when I was new.”

She eventually left the soap after eight years, saying the decision felt like the right natural ending for Bernie’s story. “It wasn’t my choice, but it made sense. My whole family had left and I was ready for something new.”

Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here

Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter