Name	Lucy Speed
Height	5'
Naionality	British
Date of Birth	1977,
Place of Birth	Wallington, Surrey, England, UK
Famous for

Speed was taught drama by Geraldine Gillman, founder of 'The Ashcroft Academy of Dramatic Art', in Peckham, London. Her first television role was in the BBC children's drama Dodgem in 1991, also starring Sean Maguire. That same year she went on to secure the role of 'young Aurora' in the film Impromptu, which was about French pianist Frédéric Chopin and starred Hugh Grant.

Her big television break came in 1994 when she won the part of Natalie Price in the hit BBC soap EastEnders. She played the brow beaten best-friend of Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer) until 1995. During her intitial stint in the show her storylines centred around an affair between herself and Bianca's boyfriend Ricky Butcher, played by Sid Owen. Upon finding out about her best friend's betrayal, Bianca forced Ricky to dump Natalie, and drove her out of Albert Square a year after her arrival. However, in reality Speed quit the hit soap as she felt overwhelmed and unprepared by all the press attention she received from being in such a high-profile show.

Away from the show Speed continued to act. In 1995 she played the part of Nell Gwyn in the film about composer Henry Purcell called England, My England, where she worked alongside fellow eastender Letitia Dean. She also appeared in other films such as Metroland (1997), Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1997), and the academy award winning film Shakespeare in Love (1998). Her television work included roles in BBC drama Dangerfield, BBC comedy Men Behaving Badly, hospital drama Casualty and The New Adventures of Robin Hood, which was shot in Lithuania. She also woked on a television series in America called Unsolved Mysteries, which was hosted by Robert Stack.


Lucy as Natalie in EastEndersHowever in 1999, Speed returned to her role of Natalie Price in EastEnders, where she stayed until 2004. Speed's return was prompted by her friend and fellow EastEnder Ross Kemp, who initiated contact between her and producer Matthew Robinson. Speed's second stint in EastEnders saw her character rekindle her friendship with one time enemy Bianca Jackson, and marry aimiable buffoon Barry Evans, played by Shaun Williamson. However, as is customary in EastEnders, all did not go smoothly, and despite the birth of son Jack, Natalie couldn't keep her hands off old flame Ricky Butcher, and her marriage ended in divorce. During her last year on the show Speed's character was involved in the unveiling of her ex-husband's killer, Janine Evans, played by Charlie Brooks. She also became romantically involved with Janine's swindling accomplice Paul Trueman, played by Gary Beadle. After discovering Paul's involvement in Barry's demise, Natalie packed her bags and left Walford for a second time.

Since quitting EastEnders Speed has kept busy appearing in plays and television roles. She appeared in the BBC hospital drama Holby City in 2004; the Detective series Jericho in 2005; and in the ITV police drama The Bill in 2006. Speed has also appeared in television game shows such as Celebrity Ready, Steady, Cook, and Celebrity Weakest Link hosted by Anne Robinson.

In 2006 Speed starred in the Louise Roche play/musical Girls Night, which toured the UK. The comedy play follows five friends as they relive their past at a karaoke night.