Latest news with #GillianTaylforth
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Anita Dobson admits major EastEnders return took lots of persuasion and why she agreed to come back
ANITA Dobson has opened up on her shock EastEnders comeback for this year's 40th anniversary celebrations. The legendary actress left fans gasping and open-mouthed when she made an unannounced return to the programme as Angie Watts in February of this year. 5 5 As Sharon was left almost crushed in the horror Queen Vic explosion, she had a vision from mum Angie who appeared in a dream sequence to speak once more to her precious little girl. Now, in an interview at the British Soap Awards, Anita has admitted that her grand soap return did take some persuasion as she wanted to ensure the scripts were top-notch before agreeing her comeback. Chatting to The Sun alongside co-star Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale, Anita admitted: "It took a lot of talking because I wanted it to be right and I didn't want to do it if it wasn't going to actually work. "So we did have a bit of chatting over the script and it just felt like the right time." She also confirmed she would not be back for any future cameos as she revealed she viewed her one-off return as a final outing for Angie. Anita said: "It was a nice way to say goodbye to Angie for me. Her return as Angie was kept such a closely-guarded secret that even most of her co-stars were unaware it was happening until it aired on-screen in all its glory. Co-star Gillian added to The Sun on the red carpet: "We knew nothing about the scene that she did with Tish [Dean, Sharon Watts]. "When we watched it, we all went, 'Wow, this is what the 40 th is all about! This icon coming back to our show!' "Absolutely amazing, and I truly mean that." Patsy Kensit breaks silence on EastEnders role and begs for a soap return after confessing it was her 'dream job' Anita's comeback proved all the worthwhile after it managed to bag the Soap Award for Scene Of The Year. It was one of a whopping eight awards that EastEnders managed to pick up on the night amid their current soap dominance. ITV's offerings Emmerdale and Coronation Street suffered badly, with the Dales-based soap taking home just two awards, with Corrie only being awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award prize. Hollyoaks ended the night in second place after collecting a total of three gongs. The British Soap Awards airs tonight at 8pm on ITV. British Soap Awards 2025: Winners List Here's who took home trophys at the 2025 British Soap Awards Best Single Episode - Eastenders: Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985 Best Young Performer - Emmerdale - Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor Scene Of The Year - Eastenders: Angie Watts' Shock Return Best Newcomer - Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne Villain Of The Year - Eastenders: Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar Best Family - Hollyoaks: The Osbornes Best Dramatic Performance - Eastenders: Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell Best On-Screen Partnership - Eastenders: Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter as Patrick & Yolande Trueman Outstanding Achievement Award - Coronation Street: David Neilson Best Comedy Performance - Eastenders: Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson The Tony Warren Award - Emmerdale: Mike Plant Best Storyline - Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse Best Leading Performer - Eastenders: Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater Best British Soap - Eastenders 5 5
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Anita Dobson reveals surprise way she tuned into Billie Piper's shock reveal in Doctor Who finale as she reflects on 'riotous' reaction to Mrs Flood twist
She's become a huge fan favourite with her mysterious role as Mrs Flood. And while she was attending the Soap Awards as Saturday's Doctor Who finale hit screens, Anita Dobson revealed she still planned to tune into the bombshell episode. The EastEnders star, 76, had joined her co-stars in attendance for the glitzy red carpet at London's Hackney Town Hall on Saturday, just an hour before the finale was being broadcast. And speaking to MailOnline on the red carpet, Anita shared that she and co-star Gillian Taylforth planned to watch the finale 'on her phone' ahead of the ceremony. Anita has caused a stir among Who fans with her role as the mysterious Mrs Flood, who was later revealed to be a hidden incarnation of legendary villain The Rani. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Speaking about the moment her character's true identity was revealed, Anita added: '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?'' Doctor Who's explosive series conclusion saw Ncuti Gatwa bid farewell to his role as the titular Time Lord, with Billie Piper sensationally unveiled as the next incarnation. Viewers also saw Anita's version of The Rani's fate left unknown, as she opted to escape the wrath of the villainous Time Lord Omega, after he ate the main Rani (played by Archie Panjabi). Anita's co-star Adam Woodyatt later confirmed that they had watched the Doctor Who finale on her phone, revealing in an Instagram post that she blocked several calls from husband Brian May to avoid interrupting the show. He captioned the post: 'My personal highlight from the #britishsoapawards wasn't @bbceastenders winning, it was something quite different. 'It was sitting on the stairs in Hackney Town Hall with Anita (aka Mrs Flood aka The Rani), sharing my airpods and watching @bbcdoctorwho on my phone!! 'We were so engrossed, @brianmayforreal called twice and Anita bumped the calls. Speaking to MailOnline on the Soap Awards red carpet, Anita shared that she and co-star Gillian Taylforth planned to watch the finale 'on her phone' ahead of the ceremony 'I wish someone had taken a photo of us sat there watching it together but I will always have that memory.' Anita was in attendance for the star-studded Soap Awards, where she accepted the award for Scene Of The Year, following Angie Watts' shock return in the show's 40th Anniversary episodes back in February. The best and brightest in serial drama were in attendance for the ceremony, which will be broadcast on ITV on June 5. It was the BBC 's EastEnders that cleaned up on the night with eight awards while Hollyoaks received three, Emmerdale two and Coronation Street only one. They kicked off their wins with Best Episode which went to Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985. EastEnders also won Scene of the Year for Angie Watts' Shock Return while Navin Chowdhry won Best Villain for his role of Nish Panesar. Steve McFadden, who plays fan favourite Phil Mitchell, won the Best Dramatic Performance award while Patsy Palmer won Best Comedic Performance for her role as Bianca Jackson. Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter (Patrick & Yolande Trueman) delivered another win for EastEnders as they won Best On-Screen Partnership. Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, won the Best Leading Performer Award and EastEnders also won the most coveted award of all: Best British Soap. Hollyoaks' three awards started with Isabelle Smith who won Best Newcomer for her role as Frankie Osborne. The Osbornes then won the Best Family award while Hollyoaks' sibling sexual abuse storyline received the Best Storyline award. Emmerdale's Amelia Flanagan won Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor while camera operator Mike Plant took home the Tony Warren Award which is given to employees working behind the scenes. Coronation Street's sole gong of the night was the Outstanding Achievement Award which went to David Neilson who has played Roy Cropper for 30 years. British Soap Awards 2025: Full List of Winners Viewer Voted Categories: Best British Soap: Coronation Street EastEnders - WINNER Emmerdale Hollyoaks Best Leading Performer: Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater, EastEnders) - WINNER Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders) Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale) Beth Cordingly (Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale) Villain of the Year: Calum Lill (Joel Deering, Coronation Street) Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar, EastEnders) - WINNER Ned Porteous (Joe Tate, Emmerdale) Tyler Conti (Abe Fielding, Hollyoaks) Best Comedy Performance: Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street) Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson, EastEnders) - WINNER Nicola Wheeler (Nicola King, Emmerdale) Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks) Panel Voted Categories: Best Family: The Platts (Coronation Street) The Slaters (EastEnders) The Dingles (Emmerdale) The Osbornes (Hollyoaks) - WINNER Best Dramatic Performance: Peter Ash (Paul Foreman, Coronation Street) Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell, EastEnders) - WINNER Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale) Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks) Best Single Episode: Mason's death (Coronation Street) Phil's psychosis: the Mitchells in 1985 (EastEnders) - WINNER April's life on the streets (Emmerdale) Hollyoaks time jump (Hollyoaks) Best On-Screen Partnership: Alison King and Vicky Myers (Carla Connor and Lisa Swain, Coronation Street) Rudolph Walker and Angela Wynter (Patrick and Yolande Trueman, EastEnders) - WINNER William Ash and Beth Cordingly (Caleb and Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale) Nathaniel Dass and Oscar Curtis (Dillon Ray and Lucas Hay, Hollyoaks) Best Newcomer: Jacob Roberts (Kit Green, Coronation Street) Laura Doddington (Nicola Mitchell, EastEnders) Shebz Miah (Kammy Hadiq, Emmerdale) Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks) - WINNER Best Storyline: Paul's battle with MND (Coronation Street) Phil Mitchell: Hypermasculinity in crisis (EastEnders) Belle and Tom - Domestic Abuse (Emmerdale) Sibling sexual abuse (Hollyoaks) - WINNER Best Young Performer: Will Flanagan (Joseph Winter-Brown, Coronation Street) Sonny Kendall (Tommy Moon, EastEnders) Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale) - WINNER Noah Holdsworth (Oscar Osborne, Hollyoaks) Scene of the Year: Amy's deathly plunge reveals a grisly secret (Emmerdale) Mercedes confronts her mortality (Hollyoaks)
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders star's secret romps revealed as they're caught on camera and blackmailed in shock twist
A BELOVED Walford resident's steamy secret is exposed and caught on camera. The blackmailer is ready to destroy everything unless the Beales pay up - but just how far will they go to keep the truth under wraps? 2 2 EastEnders viewers know that Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) attacked Cindy (Michelle Collins) on Christmas Day. And to keep quiet about Kathy's attempt on Cindy's life, Cindy demanded the deeds to Beale's Eels, the chip shop and the house in exchange for her silence. But with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Kathy reluctant to give into her demands - Cindy needed something else up her sleeve. Tuesday's episode of the BBC soap saw Cindy bump into Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) and Kathy having a chat during her evening stroll in the Square. Harvey confessed to his lover that he couldn't bring himself to tell a fragile Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) about their affair, and has accepted Jean's proposal. Although devastated, Kathy agreed that the Slater family are hanging by a thread after the death of Martin Fowler (James Bye) and they Harvey's support. Harvey said: "This is such a mess. It's you I love Kath." Kathy replied: "Yeah, and I love you too, but even I can see that Jean is on the knife's edge. And that family needs you right now." They agreed to part ways for now. Kathy thanked him for helping her while she grieved for Martin and for giving her an alibi on Christmas Day. EastEnders legend set for heartbreak as she makes shock decision amid secret affair The pair shared a passionate kiss - unware that Cindy was watching and recording. With her evidence, Cindy is ready to destroy everything unless the Beales pay up. But just how far will Kathy go to keep the truth under wraps? EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Best soap affair love triangles LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic? EASTENDERS Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning's dad Max in 2007. Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year. Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell. Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler - not realising it was caught on tape - and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic. Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day. A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira. CORONATION STREET Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street - extending it to bigamy. He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon. But it didn't stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him. Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband's nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later. When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled. Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price's best friend, Maria Connor. Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day. But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy. EMMERDALE Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale. She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride's betrayal via a recording played at the wedding. Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well - until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle. Robert's ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair - but fell to her death before she had the chance. However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair - after which she announced it to the whole pub.
