EastEnders star Tameka Empson has revealed that she has been asked for autographs and photos at some inappropriate moments, including at a funeral that she was attending.
Empson, who has played popular character Kim Fox since 2009, spoke to BBC Radio London about her experience with fame, alongside her co-star Diane Parish, who plays Kim’s sister Denise Fox.
“I think people just get overly excited, especially if there’s like a group of young people, like school kids,” she said, adding that she doesn’t enjoy having fans “scream” at her.
BBC
Parish then added that she has been approached by fans at difficult times, such as when she’s been out with her children or at the doctor’s surgery, saying that “maybe here is not the place”.
Empson then spoke about her unusual funeral encounter, saying: “I went to a friend’s mother’s funeral… There is sometimes no limits, and I don’t know if it is the character that I’m playing, but I’m very respectful.
“You go to a funeral, you know, it’s not about taking selfies or anything like that. This woman, as we were going down to view the body, she said, ‘Oh, may I have a picture with you?’
“I’m like, ‘Miss, I’m just walking down here’, and then she got me again outside of the church to take a picture and I said, ‘I just don’t think this is the right place or time’.”
BBC
She then confirmed that the woman had also asked her to sign the order of service, and that she had refused her request.
“I think sometimes people lose their minds,” she said.
Last year, Parish shared a tribute to her on-screen sister on her birthday, saying that Empson “makes every birthday sparkle with her smiles and laughter” and adding that she feels “so lucky and proud to call her my friend”.
