RESIDES: The Lake House, Glendale
OCCUPATION: Philanthropist
MARITAL STATUS: Separated from James Harrington-Jones
PREVIOUS MARRIAGES: None
PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS: Unknown
CHILDREN: None
GRANDCHILDREN: None
FATHER: Harold Bancroft (deceased)
MOTHER: Judith Bancroft (deceased)
SIBLINGS: Michael Bancroft (deceased), Gareth Worchester (half-brother)
NOTABLE RELATIVES: Yasmin Worchester (sister-in-law), Leo Worchester (nephew), Freya Worchester (niece), Ruby Worchester (niece)

BIOGRAPHY: Julia was once the undisputed Queen of Glendale – a woman of wealth, influence, and impeccable poise, hailing from the affluent Bancroft dynasty and married into the esteemed Harrington-Jones family. Renowned for her calculating mind, meticulous management of family legacies, and unwavering protection of her son, Nick, Julia was a force to be reckoned with. Locals often dubbed her “Queen Julia” in jest, a title she wore with pride.

Her life, however, changed irrevocably in 2024. The public exposure of her husband James Harrington-Jones’s multiple infidelities, including his affair with Natalie Sinclair and a one-night stand with Neha Patel, destroyed their marriage and shattered the façade of perfection she had built over decades. The revelation of the long-hidden secret about Nick’s biological parentage further upended her life, leaving her humiliated and isolated. In the wake of these events, Julia left the palatial Ashbourne House, trading its grandeur for the more intimate Lake House, perched on the shores of Lake Ashcroft – a space where she could begin to rebuild and reclaim herself.

Adding to her grief was the death of her mother, the indomitable Judith Bancroft, from a heart attack, just hours after Julia had disowned her in a bitter feud. The final moments with her mother, filled with hate, have left Julia with a lingering sense of guilt and regret. Judith left the entirety of her estate to Nick, leaving Julia with nothing, but she remains determined to regain her son’s love and trust, vowing that she will rebuild their bond no matter how long it takes.

In the ruins of her former life, Julia also found freedom. No longer bound by her mother’s expectations, her husband’s demands, or the rigid scrutiny of village life, she embraced the simple joys of life on her own terms: adult colouring books, flower arranging, long rambling walks, cooking inspired by Mary Berry, and evening EastEnders binges with Maltesers and a cheeky Baileys. She’s forged meaningful friendships with the likes of Kate Spencer, Marion Atkins, Pamela Granger, and the ever-supportive Queenie Baxter, who has welcomed her into her exclusive “call me Queenie” club.

Julia has also begun to form a connection with her previously unknown half-brother Gareth and his family. Over time, she has become a less feared figure and a more beloved member of the Glendale community. Freed from the constraints of her past, Julia had finally found herself and is ready to fight for the most important relationship of all – her son’s.