James Willmott-Brown
| James Willmott-Brown | |||||||||
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James as he appeared in the late 1980s
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| EastEnders character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | William Boyde | ||||||||
| Duration | 1986–1989, 1992 | ||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 114 20 March 1986 |
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| Last appearance | Episode 733 13 February 1992 |
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| Introduced by |
Julia Smith (1986) Leonard Lewis (1992) |
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| Book appearances | Taking Chances | ||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||
| Occupation | Pub landlord Businessman |
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| Father | Denis Willmott-Brown |
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| Wife | Elizabeth Willmott-Brown |
| Sons | Luke Willmott-Brown |
| Daughters | Sophie Willmott-Brown |
James Sebastian Willmott-Brown is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by William Boyde. He appeared from 1986 to 1989, making a brief comeback in 1992.
Willmott-Brown is an ex-army officer, arriving in Albert Square in March 1986 as area manager for 'Luxford and Copley', the brewery that own The Queen Victoria public house. By December, he decides to move to the square and buys Debbie Wilkins's (Shirley Cheriton) house at 43 Albert Square when she sells it following her fiancé, Andy's (Ross Davidson), death. He and Debbie later have a fling, but it doesn't progress into anything serious. Pat Wicks (Pam St. Clement) takes an interest in him and tries seducing him on several occasions, but is rebuffed each time. During the early years, he is friendly with Colin Russell (Michael Cashman). By February 1987, Willmott-Brown gives up his job as brewery manager and purchases an old disused pub on Turpin Road named The Dagmar, which he refurbishes as a new suave wine-bar. Local publican Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) is furious about the competition and is even angrier to discover that his wife, Angie (Anita Dobson), from whom he had recently separated, is manageress of The Dagmar.
The Dagmar opens for business in June that year and the competition between the two pubs begins. They compete for best decorated pub in 'The London In Bloom' competition and in a five-a-side football match, and constantly try poaching each other's staff. However, the following year, the Dagmar begins to lose business. The residents of Walford never really take to the upper-class establishment and Willmott-Brown has competition from not just The Queen Victoria, but also from Strokes winebar, which is managed by Den after he gives up tenancy of The Queen Victoria. It is at this time that Gregory Mantel (Pavel Douglas), a member of the criminal organisation known as The Firm), arrives and tries forcing James to allow his company, 'Walford Investments', to buy into the business. James refuses, and as a result, none of his creditors will trade with him. The business severely suffers. His ire with Den escalates when he discovers that he is in league with the Firm, and reports Den to the police for shady dealings at Strokes winebar. However, Simon Wicks (Nick Berry), barman at The Dagmar, overhears the conversation with the police and informs Den. When the residents learn that James had 'grassed' to the police, no one will enter his bar. His business is now in financial ruin, making James frantic and slightly erratic under the pressure. Meanwhile, Willmott-Brown gives Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) a job as a barmaid, causing friction between her and her husband, Pete (Peter Dean). The rift worsens when it becomes clear that Wilmott-Brown is romantically interested in Kathy. With everyone now ignoring him, Kathy soon becomes his only friend. He buys her presents and confides in her about the sorry state of his business, the breakup of his own marriage and how it affected his children, Sophie (Natasha Knight) and Luke (Henry Power). Pete is furious about the amount of time Kathy spends with Willmott-Brown, but their constant arguing only drives her away from him.
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