EastEnders cast had ‘no idea’ about legend’s return until it aired – and one star cried
EastEnders legend and Doctor Who favourite Anita Dobson has shared the challenge of keeping her soap comeback as Angie Watts a secret from her close friends, and why she agreed to return
Soap legend Anita Dobson didn’t immediately agree to her EastEnders comeback in February, in an incredible soap moment that has now won her her first British Soap Award.
The Angie Watts star, who recently proved a hit in Doctor Who as Mrs Flood AKA a new incarnation of the Rani, had to really think about the genius comeback that left viewers, and cast members, reeling. It was kept top secret with late character Angie appearing in the 40th anniversary episodes.
Very few people knew it was happening until it aired during the BBC soap’s big week a few months back. Even Anita’s co-stars and close friends, including Kathy Beale actress Gillian Taylforth, were kept out of the loop.
They didn’t know until they saw the scene that Anita was back as Angie for the first time in decades, and years after she was killed off offscreen. Gillian confessed she was left emotional watching Angie return to the show to save her dying daughter Sharon Watts, who had been injured in The Queen Vic explosion.
The moment left viewers with goosebumps as Angie urged her daughter to fight and stay alive, there for her in her time of need. But this wasn’t the first time Anita had been asked to reprise the role.
EastEnders legend and Doctor Who favourite Anita Dobson has shared the challenge of keeping her soap comeback as Angie Watts a secret
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards, Anita revealed how she’d been asked before but it never felt right. This time around, Anita gave it some consideration and the rest is history.
She spilled: “I did have to think about it. I wasn’t sure because they’d asked me to come back a couple of times before and it never seemed quite right but I do think it’s divine.” But Anita confessed it was so hard to keep it a secret, filming the scenes two months earlier with barely anyone knowing.
Anita said: “It was very difficult. We filmed it before Christmas. Gillian [Taylforth] didn’t even know. I had to keep it a secret until February, that was a challenge. but it was worth it. The reaction was so good.”
It’s then that Gillian told us she had no idea her close friend and former colleague had reprised her iconic role for the special episodes. The moment she saw Anita back onscreen left her and other co-stars in shock, with Gillian super emotional too.
She told us: “We didn’t know. It was an amazing moment. We were all like so shocked, we couldn’t believe it. We had no idea, Letitia [Dean] didn’t tell us. We really had no idea it was happening, it was amazing and such an amazing scene.
“It was so emotional and I was so teary. The way Angie came back and got Sharon out of that, you know, on her way out [meaning Sharon was dying]. Mum came back and saved her.”
Anita revealed how she’d been asked before but it never felt right(Image: WireImage)
She went on: “Kathy has mentioned Angie a few times, ‘your mu, used to say this’, we still mention her. I love this girl I really do.” But Anita says now was the right time, and it gave her the closure she needed years on from Angie’s exit.
Anita said: “It was perfect and it felt like closure for Angie and for me.” With Anita returning to the set to film a special episode with Ross Kemp for the 40th, and a podcast with Lacey Turner, the actress revealed all about being welcomed back by the cast.
She said: “They took me into The Queen Vic and everyone was going crazy. It was so lovely.” Gillian added: “It brought back so many memories from 40 years ago. It was gorgeous together, we had a wonderful time.”
Anita also told us about her Doctor Who role, and the moment onscreen that sparked “a riot”. She said when asked about the reaction to her reveal as being the Rani: “It actually wasn’t as crazy as when Mrs Flood looked at the camera and winked, that caused a riot!
“That didn’t because a lot of people are thinking, ”where is she going to go from here?”. That sister of mine is so bossy but the outfit was great.”