Former EastEnders actress to stand trial for racially aggravated harassment and assault

Jarvis previously starred in Fish Rank (2009) and EastEnders from 2018 to 2019. (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Eastenders actress Katie Jarvis is to stand trial for assault and racially aggravated harassment.

The 29-year-old appeared in the soap in 2018 and 2019, acting the part of Hayley Slater the cousin of Kat Slater.

Jarvis appeared at Basildon Crown Court today (24 May), accused of an alleged incident in Southend in Essex on July 31 last year.

Katie (right) was cast as Hayley Slater in EastEnders, but disappeared after her character had a child with Alfie Moon, her cousin Kat's husband (Picture: BBC)

She has been charged with racially aggravated harassment, common assault and two counts of assault by beating.

She spoke only to confirm her personal details and to deny the four charges.

Footage from the alleged incident shows an altercation spilling out onto the street, in which drinks were thrown.

Details of the case were not opened at today's plea hearing.

The former actress, who was last reported as working at a B&M store in Rotherham, was bailed until her trial date of April 19 next year.

Jarvis had previously been known for her role in drama film Fish Tank (2009), but told the Mirror last year that she had taken a step back from acting to work at the homeware bargain store and raise her children.

Her character mysteriously disappeared from Albert Square in 2019, after Slater gave birth to a baby she had conceived while having an affair with her cousin’s husband, Alfie Moon.