Lisa Hammond (actress)

**Lisa Jayne Hammond** (born 3 June 1978) is an English actress, known for her roles as Donna Yates in _EastEnders_ and as Tina in _Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere_.  In 2005, she had a minor role in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' _Bleak House_. In 2011, she appeared in the first series of _Psychoville_. She also appeared in 8 episodes of the British Crime Drama Vera, from 2015–2017.

## Career

She played the character Denny in _Grange Hill_ between 1994–1996. Hammond did not star in any major roles again until 2004 when she played Tina in _Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere_.  However, she had minor appearances in television programmes such as _Holby City_, _Where the Heart Is_ and _Casualty_, and in the film _Quills_. Hammond also played the major role of the herald in the Royal Shakespeare Company revival of _Marat/Sade_ in 2011. In 2005, she played Harriet in the BBC TV mini series, _Bleak House_, whilst in 2009 and 2011 Hammond played Kerry in the first and second series of TV comedy _Psychoville_.

In April 2015, Hammond appeared in detective television series, _Vera_, as Helen, a police intelligence officer. She left _Vera_ in April 2017.

In June 2015 Hammond appeared in BBC crime drama _The Interceptor_ as a rental car salesperson.

### _EastEnders_

On 19 March 2014, it was announced that the popular BBC long-running continuous drama  _EastEnders,_ had cast Hammond in the role of disabled market trader Donna Yates.  The character of Donna was not originally going to be written into _EastEnders_ as a disabled character, but Hammond impressed bosses at her audition, and was awarded the part.  Donna is the second disabled regular in the soap, after Adam Best (David Proud) who left the show in 2010.  Speaking of her casting, Hammond said: "I'm really excited to join the cast of _EastEnders_. It's a great opportunity to be a part of such a big and popular show. Donna is a bit of a handful but they're always the most fun characters to play! It feels good to be bad!" Donna's storylines have included: her fierce attitude, which often runs her into arguments; the introduction of her family; and a relationship with Fatboy (Ricky Norwood). Lisa decided to leave the soap in 2018 to pursue other roles. Her last appearance in _EastEnders_ was on 20 July 2018, when Donna was seen leaving in the back of a black cab.

## Personal life

Hammond grew up with a restricted growth condition.  She revealed in October 2015 that she has received abuse from strangers in the street because of her disability.  She spoke about how her wheelchair use received backlash from the public.  "The main image of wheelchair users is that of paralysis. So when I get out of my chair to do a scene on my feet, people don't like it.  If I'm feeling good and want to walk in that scene, I will.  But if I can't or pain levels are bad then I'll use my chair.  I've been shouted at.  I've had people say, 'Oi, why are you in a chair when you were walking on _EastEnders_ last night?'"  Hammond also revealed how she had received criticism like this before joining _EastEnders_ and that she can struggle with this backlash.  "People always think I'm this feisty girl and I can hold my own but in those moments you just don't think of anything to say.  It's shock and disbelief.  I have to laugh it off."

On 7 September 2017, she participated in the documentary series _Who Do You Think You Are?_ and discovered that her maternal side originally came from Wales.

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Lisa Hammond
- **image**: Lisa Hammond 2016.jpg
- **caption**: Hammond in 2016
- **birth name**: Lisa Jayne Hammond
- **birth place**: Chichester, West Sussex, England
- **nationality**: British
- **occupation**: Actress
- **years active**: 1994–present
- **notable works**: _Grange Hill_ (1994–1996)
 _Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere_ (2004)
_Bleak House (2005 TV serial), Bleak House_ (2005)
_Psychoville_ (2011)
_EastEnders_ (2014−2018)
- **height**: 4 ft 1 in (1.24 m)