Ethel Skinner

Ethel Skinner is a fictional character in a soap opera EastEnders. She was played by Gretchen Franklin.

She was an original EastEnders character who could always be found walking her dog Willy, who she adored. She and Dot Branning where lifelong friends. They would wind each other up but were deeply dependent on each other. Ethel trusted her so much that she asked her to help her die in 2000 after she was diagnosed with cancer.

Ethel's most famous line was "Where's my little Willy?" or "Has anyone seen my little Willy?"

History
Ethel Skinner (born Ethel Lewis) grew up and lived most of her life in Albert Square. During World War II, while living with her parents, she stormed out of the house after arguing with her father about wearing too much make-up, vowing to never set foot in the house again while he was still there. She came back the next day to find both her parents dead, a German Doodlebug having fallen on the house while she was away. Having lived through this bleak period of her life she began a downward descent into dressing in a provocative fashion and flirting with any man she deemed fit enough of her attention. Ethel eventually married William Skinner, whom she spent many happy years with. After his death she acquired a pug and named him Willy after her late husband. Ethel had many lifelong friends, two of which were Lou Beale and Dot Branning. It was her friendship with Dot that lead to one final plea for help to a friend. In the year 2000 Ethel was suffering from terminal cancer. She begged and pleaded with Dot to help her die with some respect, and after much persuasion and soul searching Dot obliged her dearest friend.