Michael McIntyre's Prank on EastEnders Superfan Amanda Grey
Sitting down to watch an episode of her favourite soap, Amanda Grey noticed that EastEnders appeared more familiar than usual. Her furniture, clothing, and even members of her family made unexpected appearances in the show as part of a prank orchestrated by Michael McIntyre's Big Show.
Amanda, who is from Swansea, described the experience as
"the best surprise ever". The prank included fabricated storylines and new characters created specifically for her viewing.
After the prank episode aired, Michael McIntyre himself arrived at Amanda's doorstep, giving her the chance to meet Gillian Taylforth, the actress who plays her favourite character, Kathy Beale.
Upon returning from holiday, Amanda found everything in her home as she had left it. However, unbeknownst to her, her furniture had been temporarily relocated to Albert Square. The comedian had visited her house to select items to feature in the EastEnders set.
The BBC production team contacted Amanda's family after she initially applied to be a contestant on Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, revealing her status as a dedicated superfan who has watched the soap since its inception in 1985.
"My daughter was helping them with this because she was at home. Apparently everything was put back but they took a big clock off the wall and she couldn't get that back on to sit properly."
Fortunately, with the assistance of other family members, Amanda's daughter Sophie Grey managed to restore the furniture without Amanda noticing any changes.
The Prank Unfolds
On the day of the special episode, Amanda's family took her out for a meal while hidden cameras were installed throughout her home. Michael McIntyre and his team observed the events from a nearby location.
The prank episode combined actual scenes from EastEnders with a fabricated storyline where Kathy Beale was searching for a suspicious character named Amanda.
"I was just thinking 'hmm okay there's a few odd things at the minute'. I didn't know, obviously, that they were next door and they were filming me watching this fake episode of EastEnders."
During the episode, Amanda recognized several personal items, including her dressing gown, a world flags book, and even her sofa. However, she did not notice her husband Mark's voice during a phone call with Kathy or her son's brief cameo appearance at the Queen Vic pub.
"They all should be on the stage because they're such good, good actors,"Amanda remarked.
The Reveal and Meeting Gillian Taylforth
The prank was unveiled when Michael McIntyre, who also had a cameo role in the EastEnders episode, knocked on Amanda's door.
"I just could not believe it, it was absolutely brilliant,"Amanda said.
"It was one of the best, best surprises ever. I'm so honoured to be part of it because they [Michael McIntyre's Big Show] don't do it very often."
Alongside McIntyre, Amanda received another surprise when Gillian Taylforth, the actress portraying Kathy Beale, traveled to Swansea to meet her.
"I just love her and she came and she was absolutely lovely. It was so nice for her to give up her time."
Trip to London and Lasting Impact
Following the prank, Amanda and her family traveled to London to participate in Michael McIntyre's Big Show, where she was treated with great hospitality.
Reflecting on the experience, Amanda said:
"I was like, 'did that actually just happen?' I think I was walking around in like a stunned, surprised trance if you like for about three weeks."
Now an even bigger fan of the soap, Amanda jokingly mentioned that the iconic theme song causes her to have a
"little panic attack"at the thought of another surprise.
