Walford star doesn't regret ditching 'Potter' role

Tiana Benjamin has insisted that she doesn't regret choosing EastEnders over her role in the Harry Potter movies.

The actress was snapped up to play Chelsea Fox on the BBC One soap in 2006 after she appeared as Angelina Johnson in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Though she had initially hoped to juggle both roles, scheduling difficulties made it impossible and she was eventually forced to pull out of Order of the Phoenix, the fifth film in the Potter series.

"The dates kept changing," Tiana told the Sunday Mirror. "And EastEnders had to say in the end, 'It's us or them.' I didn't have to think too hard. I was very, very lucky to even cough in that film. But I'd grown up with EastEnders. I made the right choice."

Benjamin has just signed a new 12-month contract with EastEnders and has pledged her long-term future to the soap.

"I'd love to stay on the show as long as they'll have me," she explained. "It's not up to me. But I'd love to be Pat Butcher one day - minus the earrings!"