EastEnders’ Ross Marshall star has very famous cousin and fans will be floored
EastEnders star Alex Walkinshaw has a showbiz connection that may be surprising to soap fans
Alex Walkinshaw has an iconic wife in EastEnders and a famous family away from the BBC soap.
Last year, soap fans were thrilled to see Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) return to Walford following a 21-year absence, and she wasn’t alone.
Vicki introduced her new boyfriend, Ross Marshall (played by Alex Walkinshaw), and his son, Joel (Max Murray), and the trio quickly found their feet in Albert Square.
In May, Vicki and Ross planned to get married, but their special day was overshadowed by the bride confessing to an affair with Zack Hudson (James Farrar). Despite the setback, the pair exchanged vows, and Ross is officially now a part of the Watts/Fowler clan.
EastEnders icon Vicki returned to Walford with Ross and Joel in 2025 (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)Away from playing newlywed Ross on EastEnders, Alex is famed for portraying the assertive PC (later Inspector) Dale ‘Smithy’ Smith on ITV’s The Bill. He was a staple of the police drama from its inception in 1999 until the show ended in 2010.
The 51-year-old has also graced screens as sports instructor Jez Diamond in Waterloo Road and acquainted audiences with nurse Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher across the esteemed BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City.
During the 90s, Alex also starred in some of the decade’s most popular shows, including Harry Enfield and Chums, A Touch of Frost, and London’s Burning.
Alex shot to fame playing PC Dale Smith in The Bill(Image: ITV)Who is Alex Walkinshaw’s famous cousin?
Soap star Alex isn’t the only famous face in his family, as his cousin is Jodie Marsh.
Former glamour model Jodie, 47, used to be one of the most recognisable faces in the country at the height of her fame in the 2000s. She was also well-known for her ongoing feud with rival Katie Price.
Jodie is also no stranger to television, having starred in a long list of reality shows, most notably Celebrity Big Brother. She is also a published author, with her autobiography, Keeping It Real, released in 2005 and reaching the top 10 on the Amazon best-sellers list.
In recent years, however, Jodie opted for a more peaceful life, ditching showbiz to run an animal sanctuary in Essex.
Jodie Marsh found fame during the 2000s (Image: Getty Images)The model and TV presenter once took a trip down memory lane, sharing an adorable throwback snap with Alex.
She nostalgically captioned the Instagram post: “Found this at my mum’s – it’s me pre-nose job with my gorgeous cousin Alex Walkinshaw, who’s currently in Holby and has also been in the Bill #Smithy and Waterloo Road. He’s a talented beast. We were so young here. What happened? Haha XXXX”.
Family life
Alex found love with his former partner, Sarah Trusler, on the set of The Bill, where she was working her magic as a makeup artist.
Sarah’s impressive portfolio includes blockbuster hits and acclaimed TV series such as Pirates of the Caribbean, London Has Fallen, and Wolf Hall.
Alex Walkinshaw is currently starring as Ross in EastEnders(Image: BBC)The pair married in June 2009, at the Queen’s House in Greenwich, South London, but reportedly separated in 2018. Their wedding had A Midsummer Night’s Dream theme with hundreds of guests, including Claire Goose, Gary Lucy, and Louise Lytton.
Alex’s now EastEnders co-star Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning, was a best man at his wedding. The two soap stars previously appeared together on The Bill.
