Janet Mitchell

EastEnders character
Janet Mitchell
Portrayed by	Grace
Created by	Kate Harwood
Duration	2006—
First appearance	5 September 2006
Date of birth	5 September 2006
Home	The Queen Vic
Family	Billy, Honey, William

Janet Mitchell is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. She is played by a baby named Grace^[1], who has Down's syndrome.

Storylines

Janet was born on 5 September 2006, on the day of the wedding of her parents, Billy and Honey Mitchell. Before she was born, Billy and Honey agreed to name the baby Janet, after Honey's mother who died when Honey was born (although Billy's mother was also named Janet, this did not seem to be a factor when the couple decided on the name). Janet was diagnosed with Downs' syndrome shortly after her birth.^[2]

Janet being held by her parents.

Honey had trouble coming to terms with Janet's condition, and when it was revealed that Janet would need an operation on her heart, Honey said it would be better for everyone if the baby died. Honey then refused to let the baby be named Janet, as she did not visualise "Janet"'s future that way. Billy had already started calling her "Petal" as a term of affection, so suggested to Honey that they should permanently name her that. Petal was brought home from the hospital by her parents on 29 September. Honey found it hard to cope with Petal, and wanted her put up for adoption. On 3 November, Honey considered smothering the baby with a pillow, but could not do it.

A newborn Janet.

On 9 November, Honey ran away to her father, Jack's canal boat in Kent. Billy tracked her down and took Petal with him. He put Petal by the canal, saying that people used to leave babies with Down syndrome outdoors overnight, and if the baby survived, they'd keep it. Honey was shocked by Billy's actions and Billy picked Petal up and they went back home. Despite her father's courage and love for her, her mother's fear of bringing up a Down's child won out, and the pair put her up for adoption, giving her up to a foster family, Kim and Tony Smith, just prior to Christmas. However, when, on Christmas Eve, Petal was taken into hospital for major surgery, Billy went running to her side, and, when she read Billy's letter to an adult Petal, Honey followed, walking in on her Christening, and announcing her name - Janet. Doctors said she would be fine after surgery. On Janet's first birthday, Peggy, Ronnie and Roxy threw a party, but it was crashed by Phil Mitchell who was drunk and fell onto the cake. On 13th November 2007, Janet became a big sister to her younger brother William. William had a tramatic birth but luckly he pulls through. Unlike Janet, he does not have Down syndrome.

Criticism

The storyline involving the birth of Petal Mitchell has been criticised by the Royal College of Midwives, who claim the storyline was inaccurate and unrealistic. They claim that Honey should not have been refused an epidural and should not have been told about her daughter's condition without her husband being present. Further to this, Honey and the baby were being looked after by a character who was repeatedly referred to as "nurse Cheryl", when in fact, a midwife would be present, and would check on the baby continuously, rather than leave the mother alone to worry and then disappear without being noticed. They also claim that the baby appeared rigid when in fact she should have been floppy, and that nobody opened the baby's blanket to check.^[3] The BBC say a great deal of research was undertaken such as talking to families with children who have Down's syndrome, and liaising with a senior midwife as well as the Down's Syndrome Association. The BBC say Honey was not refused an epidural but had actually locked herself away in the bathroom. They were also unable to cast a baby with Down's syndrome for the first few episodes, which is why the baby appeared rigid.^[3] The Down's Syndrome Association say that the way in which Billy and Honey found out about their baby's condition and their subsequent support is not a best practice model, but is still a realistic situation.^[4] Conversely, learning disability charity Mencap have praised the soap, saying it will help to raise awareness.^[5]

Family

• Father: Billy Mitchell
• Mother: Honey Mitchell
• Brother: William Mitchell
• Grandfathers: Steven Mitchell (deceased), Jack Edwards
• Grandmothers: Janet Mitchell (deceased), Janet Edwards (deceased)
• Uncle: Charlie Mitchell (deceased)
• Great aunt: Caroline Bishop
• Cousin: Jamie Mitchell (deceased)
• First cousins twice removed: Eric Mitchell (deceased), Clive Mitchell, Archie Mitchell
• Second cousins once removed: Phil Mitchell, Grant Mitchell, Sam Mitchell, Roxy Mitchell, Ronnie Mitchell
• Third cousins: Mark Fowler Jr., Ben Mitchell, Courtney Mitchell, Louise Mitchell

References

1. ^ "TV tot's parents speak out", The Sun, 15 September 2006, p. 15. Retrieved on 2006-09-15. 
2. ^ "Down's baby in Enders", The Sun, 22 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "BBC soap EastEnders slammed over Down's Syndrome baby birth", 24dash.com, 2006-09-13. Retrieved on 2006-09-28. 
4. ^ "Midwives attack EastEnders plot", BBC News, 2006-09-12. Retrieved on 2006-09-28. 
5. ^ "Mencap praise for Down's syndrome soap story", bounty.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-28.