Emma Louise Barton (born 26 July 1977)[1] is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for the role of Honey Mitchell in EastEnders which she has portrayed on and off since November 2005. Before her role in EastEnders, Barton appeared in Spooks and on stage in plays including Grease.[2] In 2019, Barton competed in the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, paired with professional Anton du Beke, reaching the Grand Final.
Barton joined the cast of EastEnders as Susan "Honey" Edwards-Mitchell[4] in November 2005 and played the role until September 2008 when the character was one of several written out by executive producer Diederick Santer that year. Following a brief return in 2014, it was announced on 6 September 2015 that Barton would return to the role permanently in November that year.[5]
In June 2009, Barton opened two BreastHealth UK[6] clinics in the Birmingham area.[7][8]
In December 2009, Barton played the part of Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk at Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne. In May 2014, Barton became an Ambassador for Locksheath Pumas Rugby Club in Fareham, Hampshire. Also in May 2014, Barton reprised her role as Honey in EastEnders for a short stint. In June 2014 she was a contestant in Celebrity Masterchef.
During 2011-12 she played the part of Lily St. Regis in the musical comedy Annie, at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.[9]
From 2002 to 2005, Barton was married to lawyer Nigel Stoat.[11]
In January 2019, it was announced that she would be running the London Marathon with other EastEnders cast members for a Dementia campaign in honour of Barbara Windsor.[12]
On 21 April 2024, Barton ran the London Marathon for the second time whilst simultaneously filming for an EastEnders storyline.[13] She ran part of the race in character but mostly as herself.