EastEnders icon makes shock return 37 years after last appearance in 40th anniversary special
Former EastEnders actress Anita Dobson has shocked fans with a surprise return to show, 37 years after her last appearance.
Dobson, 75, played Queen Vic pub barmaid Angie Watts from 1985 to 1987, starring in the first ever episode of the BBC soap, and returned to screens tonight (19 February) as part of the show's 40th anniversary storyline.
Angie was seen appearing in a hallucination by her daughter Sharon (Letitia Dean), who was trapped in debris after the Queen Vic was destroyed in a gas explosion.
Dobson left EastEnders in 1988 after starring one of the most-watched soap storylines in British television history - 30.1m viewers tuned in to watch Angie Watts serve her husband Den with divorce papers on Christmas Day 1986.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
41 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Minister says AI ‘does lie' but defends Government amid copyright row
Peter Kyle acknowledged the technology was 'not flawless' as he insisted the Government would 'never sell downstream' the rights of artists in the UK. He also said he had 'mistakenly' said his preferred option on AI and copyright was requiring rights-holders to 'opt out' of their material being used by tech companies, and had since 'gone back to the drawing board'. Ministers have faced a backlash from major figures in the creative industries over their approach to copyright, with Sir Elton John this week describing the situation as an 'existential issue.' The Government is locked in a standoff with the House of Lords, which has demanded artists to be offered immediate copyright protection as an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. Peers have attempted to change the legislation by adding a commitment to introduce transparency requirements aimed at ensuring rights-holders are able to see when their work has been used and by whom. Asked about the risk of AI producing unreliable information, Mr Kyle said 'people need to understand that AI is not flawless, and that AI does lie because it's based on human characteristics'. 'Now it is getting more precise as we move forward. It's getting more powerful as we move forward,' he told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips. 'But as with every single technology that comes into society, you can only safely use it and wisely use it by understanding how it works.' He added: 'We are going to legislate for AI going forward and we're going to balance it with the same legislation that we'll bring in to modernise the copyright legislation as well.' The Government has said it will address copyright issues as a whole after the more than 11,500 responses to its consultation on the impact of AI have been reviewed, rather than in what it has branded 'piecemeal' legislation. Among the proposals had been a suggestion that tech companies could be given free access to British music, films, books in order to train AI models without permission or payment, with artists required to 'opt-out' if they do not want their work to be used. Asked about the prospect of an opt-out clause, Mr Kyle told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I always had on the table from the outset an opt-out clause. 'But I mistakenly said this was my preferred option that had more prominence than perhaps some of the creatives wanted it to have, and I've now sort of gone back to the drawing board on that, because I am listening to what people want.' Last month hundreds of stars including Sir Elton, Sir Paul McCartney and Kate Bush signed a joint letter to Sir Keir Starmer urging the Prime Minister to introduce safeguards against work being plundered for free.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner ‘overwhelmed' by support
The family of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner have issued a message of thanks for the love and support following their son's death and also thanked people for donations to a fundraising campaign set up in his memory. The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died following a car crash last month. A JustGiving page launched in his memory by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than £10,000. His mother said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. 'We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. — Race Across The World (@RATW_official) June 1, 2025 'I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 'We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. 'National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.' Mr Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. The accident happened on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday May 26 and he died on May 29 from his injuries, his family said last week. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew said: 'When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NationalFASD (@nationalfasd) 'After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. 'I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause.' The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it 'provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices'. The website also describes FASD as resulting 'when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body.. It says: 'FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. 'While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning.' A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: 'Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. 'National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Grieving family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner ‘overwhelmed' by support
Sam and his adopted mum Jo delighted fans with their unbreakable bond as they competed in season two of BBC's Race Across The World, in which they ventured across South America together The family of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner have given a heartfelt 'thank you' for the outpouring of love and support they received, after his tragic death last month. As they grieve for their son, his parents have told fans how grateful they are, after more than £10,000 was donated to a fundraising campaign set up in his memory. The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died in a horror car crash last month. A JustGiving page launched by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than £10,000. His devastated mum Jo said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. "It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. "We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. "National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood." Sam was involved in the devastating road accident last week when his vehicle dramatically careered off the A34 on Monday, 26 May, rolling and ending up on its side, confirmed Greater Manchester Police. He sadly died on May 29 from his injuries. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew described Sam as a "beloved son, a cherished brother, and a truly unforgettable soul". He said: 'When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. 'I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause.' The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it 'provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices'. The website also describes FASD as resulting 'when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body." It says: 'FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. 'While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning.' A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: 'Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds.' A private funeral will be held later this month.
