Former EastEnders actress Katie Jarvis has admitted racially aggravated harassment and common assault following an incident in Southend-on-Sea.

The Dagenham-born actress, now of Rainham, changed her pleas to guilty at Basildon Crown Court this morning (April 19).

She had previously denied the two offences, which are said to have happened in the seaside town on July 31, 2020.

The racially aggravated harassment was against Michelle Antonio and others, while the common assault was of pub worker Toby Groom.

Jarvis had been due to go on trial today before her change of pleas.

Judge Samantha Leigh bailed the actress to return for sentencing tomorrow - Wednesday, April 20 - at the same court.

The racially aggravated harassment was against Michelle Antonio and others, while the common assault was of pub worker Toby Groom.

Jarvis - who played Hayley Slater in the BBC One soap from 2018 until 2019 - had also been charged with two counts of assault by beating, which she denied.

No evidence about these was put before the court, and she is only due to be sentenced for the two counts she admitted.