Shelley Lewis

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Shelley Lewis
actor_name=Nicole Arumugam
years=1992–1994
first=10 November 1992
last=13 December 1994
dob=19 August 1972
status= Single
occupation= Student
family=

Shelley Lewis was a fictional character in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders". She was played by Nicole Arumugam.

History

Shelley was a college friend of Michelle Fowler's and she was first seen on screen in November 1992. When Michelle's housemate, Rachel Kominski, left Walford early in 1993, Shelley moved in with Michelle and her daughter Vicki at 55 Victoria Road. She later got a job as part-time barmaid in The Queen Vic and was often seen hanging around with her other student pals Rich and Clem (her on/off boyfriend), which caused problems with Michelle when they were caught smoking cannabis in front of Vicki.

Shelley initially set her sights on Michelle's brother, Mark Fowler. Both appeared smitten with each other, but Mark was harbouring a secret - he was HIV positive. Seeing them growing closer Michelle told Mark that he had to cool things with Shelley or tell her the truth. Mark then decided that it was best that they just remain friends.

Shelley was a bit of a user and after her brief fling with Mark ended she set her sights on the local sleaze, Richard Cole, thinking he'd be a good 'meal ticket'. Richard was happy to lavish Shelley with expensive gifts in the hope that they would coax her into bed. Shelley was happy to take the gifts, but when Richard began to seek a return from his investments, Shelley abruptly told him that she 'wouldn't touch him with a bargepole'.

Shelley was still attracted to Mark and she later initiated a kiss, reigniting their romance. In November of that year they (along with Michelle and Clem) went on a trip to Amsterdam. Shelley was still dating Clem at the time, so she and Mark would sneak away to be together at any opportunity. They eventually managed to give Clem and Michelle the slip and ended back at their hotel. Shelley made her amorous intentions clear, but Mark seemed hesitant and ended up walking out. A confused Shelley followed him and barated him for leading her on. Mark was finally forced to divulge that the reason he couldn't sleep with Shelley was because he was HIV positive. Shelley was furious with him for not trusting her enough to tell her in the first place and she told him she never wanted to see him again.

Mark took the rejection badly and he began neglecting his health by not taking his HIV medication. During Christmas that year he was rushed to hospital after collapsing. When Shelley found out that Mark was ill she rushed to him and confessed that she really cared for him and so they decided to reignite their relationship. Shelley was desperate for Mark to meet her family and go on holiday together with her parents. She became slightly infatuated with him and tried to spend as much time with him as she could. Mark felt that the relationship was moving too quickly and he soon began to tire of Shelley. By March 1994 Mark had decided to finish the relationship, but when he tried to break it off Shelley resorted to emotional blackmail and said that if he left her she would fail her exams. When this didn't work she resorted to begging, crying and emotional pressure saying that she risked her own health being with him, so he owed her. After one final irrational outburst — where she nearly publicly revealed that Mark was HIV positive — Shelley finally realised that the relationship was over and she decided to leave Walford in March 1994.

Shelley made one final appearance in December 1994, when she and Michelle attended their university graduation ceremony. Shelley was there with her fiancé, and had found herself a job with a publisher who played golf with her fiancé's father. Shelley saw Mark and all their past animosity had been forgotten, although Mark's new girlfriend, Ruth Aitken, was a little jealous of her.