Latest news with #ArchieMitchell
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary EastEnders villain addresses possible return to BBC soap – over a decade after iconic storyline
AN EASTENDERS villain has broken his silence on a possible return to Albert Square - despite being killed off in one of the soap's most iconic storylines over a decade ago. EastEnders legend Larry Lamb addressed the possibility of a shock return from beyond the grave for Archie Mitchell. 4 Larry Lamb addressed whether Archie Mitchell can come back from the dead Credit: Getty 4 He was killed off in a massive Christmas whodunnit storyline in 2009 Credit: BBC More than a decade ago, his villainous alter ego Archie Mitchell was bumped off in one of the soap's most explosive Christmas whodunnits. The 77-year-old national treasure played the twisted crook and rapist for 18 months, before he met his maker courtesy of Stacey Slater and a deadly blow from the Queen Vic bust. When asked if a fat paycheck might tempt him back to Albert Square, Larry told The Express: "It's not about that. People have got to be prepared to face the fact that stories come to an end. "Archie Mitchell had his day. They wrote a character that was so strong, so powerful, what are you going to do? "You can't go back and pretend he's come back to life." He added: "You know, I had a wonderful time doing it, the same as I had a wonderful time doing Gavin & Stacey, but that's it, the story is done. That's it." Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday revealed that actor Jake Wood is making a shock return to EastEnders as Max Branning - after four years away. The star, 52, will reprise his role as love rat later this year in dramatic scenes. Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects. His comeback coincides with former on-screen lover Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, preparing to depart Walford. EastEnders most shocking deaths from Barry's cliff fall to Ronnie and Roxie's drowning A telly source said: 'Jake's return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show. 'It'll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. "Bosses are excited about what his character's reappearance means for spicing up the plots. 'There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.' Most devastating soap deaths SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust. Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years. EASTENDERS Barry Evans - Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying. Her plan to inherit Barry's fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files. Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was 'fake'. Bradley Branning - Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater's rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died. He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape. Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death. CORONATION STREET Tina McIntyre - Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow - despite him being married to Carla Connor. When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla's brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her. Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony - then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her. In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe. Molly Dobbs - Molly was one of the victims in Corrie's 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold). Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death. This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth. As fate would have it, Kevin's wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly's side in her final moments. Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack's father, before dying of her injuries. Vera Duckworth - Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character. Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap's most beloved couples. Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair. Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey's exit as Jack. Paul Foreman - Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease. Introduced in 2018 as David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance - and marriage - with vicar Billy Mayhew. The MND storyline was announced in 2023 - with the expectation it would result in the character's death. EMMERDALE Sarah Sugden - After the family got into financial problems, Sarah's son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn. He didn't realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze. Nine villagers - The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale. Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash. Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died. HOLLYOAKS Carmel McQueen - The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family's car. Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble - but got stuck in it herself. Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel. Lothario Max had four marriages and ten affairs - luring a total of 15 women into his bed, including his son Bradley's partner Stacey. He left Albert Square to start to a new life in New Zealand. This comes after EastEnders scooped a TV Bafta for best soap - with executive producer Kate Oates teasing: 'If you like a return, I don't think you're going to be disappointed because there's potentially one on the cards. We've got some uncharted territory.' EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 4 Jake Wood is making a shock return to EastEnders Credit: BBC
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary EastEnders villain addresses possible return to BBC soap – over a decade after iconic storyline
AN EASTENDERS villain has broken his silence on a possible return to Albert Square - despite being killed off in one of the soap's most iconic storylines over a decade ago. EastEnders legend Larry Lamb addressed the possibility of a shock return from beyond the grave for Archie Mitchell. 4 4 More than a decade ago, his villainous alter ego Archie Mitchell was bumped off in one of the soap's most explosive Christmas whodunnits. The 77-year-old national treasure played the twisted crook and rapist for 18 months, before he met his maker courtesy of Stacey Slater and a deadly blow from the Queen Vic bust. When asked if a fat paycheck might tempt him back to Albert Square, Larry told The Express: "It's not about that. People have got to be prepared to face the fact that stories come to an end. "Archie Mitchell had his day. They wrote a character that was so strong, so powerful, what are you going to do? "You can't go back and pretend he's come back to life." He added: "You know, I had a wonderful time doing it, the same as I had a wonderful time doing Gavin & Stacey, but that's it, the story is done. That's it." Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday revealed that actor Jake Wood is making a shock return to EastEnders as Max Branning - after four years away. The star, 52, will reprise his role as love rat later this year in dramatic scenes. Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects. His comeback coincides with former on-screen lover Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, preparing to depart Walford. EastEnders most shocking deaths from Barry's cliff fall to Ronnie and Roxie's drowning A telly source said: 'Jake's return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show. 'It'll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. "Bosses are excited about what his character's reappearance means for spicing up the plots. 'There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.' Most devastating soap deaths SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust. Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years. EASTENDERS Barry Evans - Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying. Her plan to inherit Barry's fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files. Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was 'fake'. Bradley Branning - Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater's rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died. He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape. Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death. CORONATION STREET Tina McIntyre - Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow - despite him being married to Carla Connor. When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla's brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her. Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony - then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her. In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe. Molly Dobbs - Molly was one of the victims in Corrie's 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold). Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death. This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth. As fate would have it, Kevin's wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly's side in her final moments. Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack's father, before dying of her injuries. Vera Duckworth - Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character. Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap's most beloved couples. Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair. Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey's exit as Jack. Paul Foreman - Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease. Introduced in 2018 as David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance - and marriage - with vicar Billy Mayhew. The MND storyline was announced in 2023 - with the expectation it would result in the character's death. EMMERDALE Sarah Sugden - After the family got into financial problems, Sarah's son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn. He didn't realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze. Nine villagers - The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale. Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash. Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died. HOLLYOAKS Carmel McQueen - The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family's car. Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble - but got stuck in it herself. Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel. Lothario Max had four marriages and ten affairs - luring a total of 15 women into his bed, including his son Bradley's partner Stacey. He left Albert Square to start to a new life in New Zealand. This comes after EastEnders scooped a TV Bafta for best soap - with executive producer Kate Oates teasing: 'If you like a return, I don't think you're going to be disappointed because there's potentially one on the cards. We've got some uncharted territory.' EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 4 4
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Legendary EastEnders villain addresses possible return to BBC soap – over a decade after iconic storyline
AN EASTENDERS villain has broken his silence on a possible return to Albert Square - despite being killed off in one of the soap's most iconic storylines over a decade ago. EastEnders legend Larry Lamb addressed the possibility of a shock return from beyond the grave for Archie Mitchell. 4 Larry Lamb addressed whether Archie Mitchell can come back from the dead Credit: Getty 4 He was killed off in a massive Christmas whodunnit storyline in 2009 Credit: BBC More than a decade ago, his villainous alter ego The 77-year-old national treasure played the twisted crook and rapist for 18 months, before he met his maker courtesy of Stacey Slater and a deadly blow from the Queen Vic bust. When asked if a fat paycheck might tempt him back to "Archie Mitchell had his day. They wrote a character that was so strong, so powerful, what are you going to do? read more on eastenders "You can't go back and pretend he's come back to life." He added: "You know, I had a wonderful time doing it, the same as I had a wonderful time doing Gavin & Stacey, but that's it, the story is done. That's it." Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday revealed that actor , 52, will reprise his role as love rat later this year in dramatic scenes. Most read in Soaps Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects. His comeback coincides with former on-screen lover EastEnders most shocking deaths from Barry's cliff fall to Ronnie and Roxie's drowning A telly source said: 'Jake's return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show. 'It'll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. "Bosses are excited about what his character's reappearance means for spicing up the plots. 'There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.' Most devastating soap deaths SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust. Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years. EASTENDERS Barry Evans - Evil Janine ( Her plan to inherit Barry's fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files. Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was 'fake'. Bradley Branning - Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater's rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died. He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape. Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death. CORONATION STREET Tina McIntyre - Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow - despite him being married to Carla Connor. When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla's brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her. Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony - then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her. In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe. Molly Dobbs - Molly was one of the victims in Corrie's 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold). Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth. As fate would have it, Kevin's wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly's side in her final moments. Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack's father, before dying of her injuries. Vera Duckworth - Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character. Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap's most beloved couples. Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair. Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey's exit as Jack. Paul Foreman - Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman Introduced in 2018 as David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance - and marriage - with vicar Billy Mayhew. The MND storyline was announced in 2023 - with the expectation it would EMMERDALE Sarah Sugden - After the family got into financial problems, Sarah's son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn. He didn't realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze. Nine villagers - The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale. Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash. Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died. HOLLYOAKS Carmel McQueen - The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family's car. Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble - but got stuck in it herself. Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel. Lothario Max had four marriages and ten affairs - luring a total of 15 women into his bed, including his son Bradley's partner Stacey. He left Albert Square to start to a new life in New Zealand. This comes after EastEnders scooped a TV Bafta for best soap - with executive producer Kate Oates teasing: 'If you like a return, I don't think you're going to be disappointed because there's potentially one on the cards. We've got some uncharted territory.' EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 4 Jake Wood is making a shock return to EastEnders Credit: BBC 4 Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years Credit: PA
Gulf Today
10-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Special-needs benefit claimants die waiting for payments
Archie Mitchell and Albert Toth, The Independent More than 1,000 sick and special-needs benefit claimants died while waiting to receive vital payments last year, The Independent can reveal, laying bare the crisis in the welfare system. Department for Work and Pensions figures show that between November 2023 and October 2024, 900,000 people applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits — the main support for those with an illness, disability or mental health condition. Applicants faced an average wait of almost four months to have their claims processed — but 1,300 died before receiving a final decision, figures released under Freedom of Information laws show. It comes as Rachel Reeves plans to slash the welfare bill by up to £5bn in her spring Budget and force people back to work, with reports on Friday suggesting the majority of the cuts will fall on those claiming PIP benefits. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the number of claimants dying before receiving payments was 'an absolute scandal', while campaigners warned the figures are just the 'tip of the iceberg'. And the findings have sparked a fresh backlash against the chancellor's planned benefit cuts within her own party, with Labour MPs warning they risk lengthening delays in the under-pressure system 'denying vital support to those who need it most'. Claimed by 3.6 million people, PIP is worth up to £184.30 a week and is designed to help with extra living costs for those with a long-term physical or mental illness that affects their ability to do everyday tasks or get around. One man, 40, from Northern Ireland, who first applied for PIP in June 2022 is still waiting for the benefit. Despite being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome caused by an underactive thyroid, the man, who wished to remain anonymous, was told he didn't qualify and had his appeal rejected. 'During that time, to be honest at times I'd lost hope. I felt that my body was failing me, and I felt like I actually wasn't being believed,' he told The Independent. In August 2024, a tribunal ruled he should be reassessed but more than half a year later, he's still waiting to be seen. Further statistics show the poor levels of customer service faced by applicants, with one claimant last year kept on hold by the DWP for six hours and 48 minutes before their phone call was answered. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said the union had 'repeatedly warned' the DWP there was a staffing crisis that would have consequences for its workers delivering the benefit and those claiming it but 'they failed to take action'. 'By targeting the most vulnerable in society with £5bn of cuts to the welfare system, ministers will be removing vital safety nets for people with disabilities and health conditions, allowing them to slip through the sort of safety net that every decent society should provide,' she added. The SNP said the UK government 'has been failing special-needs people for decades now and these findings are the latest proof that their delays are putting lives at risk'. 'These figures must now be the long-overdue wake-up call that the DWP needs to finally get a grip with the problem of long delays and backlogs when processing applications,' the party's social justice spokesperson Kirsty Blackman told The Independent. She added: 'These revelations should also act as a stark warning to the chancellor ahead of the forthcoming spring statement of the real dangers of a return to Labour austerity.' Mikey Erhardt, of Disability Rights UK, said the figures were 'shocking' and showed 'how much the PIP system is failing to deliver and are just the tip of the iceberg'. Mr Erhardt added: 'PIP decision delays leave many thousands of special-needs people waiting months for vital support. Poor decision-making then leads to even more months of delay waiting for appeals to be heard — of which around 70 per cent are successful. 'The government needs to prioritise giving additional capacity to DWP, to process new claims and review existing ones, in a timely way.' The shocking figures come ahead of the chancellor's spring statement this month, in which she has hinted she will cut billions from Britain's welfare bill under reforms that will give people 'support to get back to work'. But the party has not ruled out that the changes could extend to PIP. Demonstrating the rift within Labour over the planned cuts, left-wing Labour MP Brian Leishman urged Ms Reeves not to break a promise that there would be 'no return to austerity under Labour'. He told The Independent: 'It's in our party's DNA to create a compassionate caring society that looks after those most in need and the recent talk of 'ruthless cuts' to welfare and labelling people as 'shirkers' or 'scroungers' is appalling.' 'Fourteen years of Tory austerity has been the cause of hundreds of thousands of excess deaths in the UK and cuts to welfare are more of the same.' And Labour MP Kim Johnson told The Independent: 'Cuts risk worsening these delays and denying vital support to those who need it most. This is a false economy — pushing vulnerable people further into hardship only increases pressure on other public services. 'Instead of making 'tough choices' that harm the special-needs and impoverished, we should instead focus on making the wealthiest pay their fair share.'
