She was the original casting to play Angie Watts in
EastEnders (1985). According to director
Matthew Robinson, she recorded a 15-second walk through the square as a test shot. The series' creators,
Julia Smith and
Tony Holland, decided they wanted a more experienced actress to play such an important role, so
Anita Dobson was cast instead. Fennell was paid in full for the six months she had signed up for.