Nicola Duffett

She remains best known for two longrunning soap opera roles. After appearing as Debbie Bates in EastEnders from 1993 to 1995, she went into the role of boozy floozie Cat Matthews in Family Affairs. Cat first appeared in Family Affairs in late 1998, and was a key character in the shows story lines until the series ended in December 2005.

Duffett was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Prior to her soap roles, Duffett played the key role of Mrs. Bast in Ismail Merchant and James Ivorys 1992 film adaptation of Howards End. In 2008, she played Big Mo in the BBC film Dustbin Baby.

Source: Wikipedia