SHRIMPY’S mum has been revealed in today’s special EastEnders episode themed around Mother’s Day.
The market trader – who is played by actor Ben Champniss– has been a mainstay in Walford with his trademark hat ever since 2014 when he joined the show.
He has become one of the show’s few regular background actors to have consistently remained on the BBC soap.
His character can be seen most weeks hanging out on the market with the likes of fellow market traders Peter Beale, Penny Branning or Billy Mitchell.
And now his mother’s been revealed with Alfie Moon serving them both champagne in today’s episode.
Alfie said: “Alright Shrimpy, lovely to meet your mum for the first time. What do we call you, Crabby?”
Read more on EastEnders
And she’s not just Shrimpy’s mum on-screen – as she’s being played by Shrimpy actor Ben’s real-life mum.
He posted on social media: “Shrimpy and his mum don’t ‘arf look like my mum and me in today’s episode of EastEnders…! (Don’t blink!) 😉
“Happy Mother’s Day, Walford…! What an incredible morning we had! Makes a change from the usual Mother’s Day flowers, eh “Crabby”…?!”
His mum Jackie commented: “Such a good experience, loved it! It was great to see your ‘other life’ Ben! x”
However, having never had a storyline of his own in his time in the Square, fans have often been worried about how long Shrimpy will stick around for.
Back in 2024, actor Ben clarified that he is not going anywhere and will firmly remain in Walford for the foreseeable future.
Underneath a post gushing about his 10-year stint, a fan said to Ben: “Are you leaving enders? X.”
He then quipped back: “Absolutely not!!”
His original post read: “10 years today since my hat and I marched up Turpin Road, down Bridge Street and into The Queen Vic, Walford! Cheers, Shrimpy, you’ve changed my life!”
