Latest news with #TheQueenVictoria
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders' Anita Dobson addresses 'very weird and emotional' return to BBC soap
Former EastEnders star Anita Dobson has shared her feelings about her poignant return to the BBC soap, confessing it felt odd to be back on set. The 75 year old actress, who is fondly remembered for her role as the legendary Angie Watts, recently graced Albert Square once more for the show's milestone anniversary episode. She originally portrayed the Queen Vic's inaugural landlady from the very first broadcast in 1985 and left the scene three years on. In a touching tribute to EastEnders' 40th anniversary, Anita made an emotional cameo during the hour-long special, sharing a tear-jerking moment with her on-screen daughter Sharon – a staggering 37 years since she last stepped into Angie's shoes. After her brief appearance, Anita joined the Monday (May 19) edition of BBC The One Show, where presenter Roman Kemp was quick to delve into her nostalgic visit to Walford,, reports Belfast Live. Roman dove straight in with his question: "You got the opportunity to reprise your role in the 40th anniversary. What was that like getting back there?" Anita opened up: "It was weird, very emotional and it was absolutely lovely. It was like stepping into a bath of warm water, warm bubbled water." She continued: "Everyone was gorgeous to me and it was wonderful working with Letitia (Dean) again, who plays Sharon and I couldn't believe I got back into the costume - the original costume. I'm very proud of that." Angie Watts, Anita's character, met her end off-screen due to alcohol poisoning in 2002, but she made a spectral comeback to interact with her daughter Sharon, portrayed by Letitia Dean. In a heart-wrenching scene, Angie visited Sharon, pleading with her to cry out for help as she lay pinned beneath a broken staircase. The emotional scene featured Angie looking remarkably youthful, sporting her signature brown curls and red lipstick. Regarding the decision to revive Angie Watts for the 40th anniversary, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw stated: "Angie Watts is undoubtedly one of EastEnders most formidable and iconic landlady's. "Since the very first episode, Anita instantly created a character that the audience adored and she not only shaped EastEnders into the show it is today, but also had a huge impact on British television. ". He added: "Anita was of course top of our ultimate wish list when we were discussing what we would love to include in our special anniversary week, so it was the best birthday present we could ever receive when she said yes. "Watching Angie Watts walk through the doors of The Queen Victoria, 40 years to the day she made her first appearance in Walford, is a moment we will always treasure as we celebrate this show that has played such a significant role in British television. Happy birthday EastEnders."
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
EastEnders' 40th celebrations at Queen Vic pub in Maldon
A bust of Queen Victoria has visited a pub that shares its name with EastEnders' iconic local to celebrate the soap's 40th Burrell-Cook has been the landlord of The Queen Victoria in Spital Road in Maldon, Essex, since July 2018. It got its current name in 1855, having been previously called the Victoria family members of Lewis Bridgeman, the actor who plays Barney Mitchell in the show, have been regular users of the pub for years as the teenager is from the Burrell-Cook said: "We've got a Mitchell, we have three Queen Victoria busts in the pub already, and many of our customers have moved here from London's East End. But I'm not a Pat Butcher, Peggy Mitchell or a Frank." "Lewis' family come here for drinks or dinner. We were very proud when he got that part," he added. The 50-year-old said that the local community had been excited about the arrival, and many regulars, former landlords and the pubs darts teams made special plans to see the bust in place."We're very lucky to have such an amazing community pub. This pub is always about the customers and the team. It's all about the people," Mr Burrell-Cook said. Before taking over the site Mr Burrell-Cook had considered buying a different pub in Essex, also called The Queen Victoria, but was drawn to the Maldon venue."It had an amazing feel, It had also had a fair bit of trouble - I like fixing things," he added. Mr Burrell-Cook admitted he does not watch the soap "religiously" but keeps up to date with various praised the show for how it represents life behind the bar."Although it might be condensed into a short period of time it actually represents everything in a pub: the conversations, the troubles, the heartbreak all of that," he said. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
