Anita Dobson addresses ’emotional’ return to EastEnders after 37 years
Anita Dobson has made an emotional return to EastEnders, reprising her iconic role as Angie Watts for the soap’s 40th anniversary special.
The 75-year-old actress, who originally portrayed the Queen Vic’s inaugural landlady from the show’s first broadcast in 1985 until her departure three years later, returned to Albert Square 37 years after leaving the role.
Dobson made a poignant cameo during the hour-long special, sharing a tear-jerking moment with her on-screen daughter Sharon, played by Letitia Dean.
Her brief appearance marked a significant moment for the long-running BBC soap as it celebrated its milestone anniversary.
Speaking about her return on BBC’s The One Show, Dobson described the experience as “weird, very emotional and absolutely lovely”.
“It was like stepping into a bath of warm water, warm bubbled water,” she revealed during Monday’s programme.
The actress appeared as a spectral version of Angie, who died off-screen due to alcohol poisoning in 2002, returning to interact with her daughter Sharon.
In the heart-wrenching scene, Angie visited Sharon as she lay pinned beneath a broken staircase, pleading with her to cry out for help.
The emotional scene featured Angie looking remarkably youthful, sporting her signature brown curls and red lipstick.
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Dobson also expressed pride at being able to wear her original costume for the special episode.
“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,” she told The One Show.
The reunion between the on-screen mother and daughter provided one of the most touching moments of the anniversary special, with Dobson’s character appearing to Sharon in her time of need.
The scene captured the essence of their relationship that had been established during the soap’s early years.
EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw explained the decision to bring back Angie Watts for the 40th anniversary celebration.
“Angie Watts is undoubtedly one of EastEnders most formidable and iconic landlady’s,” he stated.
“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.”
Clenshaw revealed that Dobson was “top of our ultimate wish list” for the anniversary special, describing her agreement to return as “the best birthday present we could ever receive”.
He added that watching Angie Watts walk through the doors of The Queen Victoria again, 40 years after her first appearance, was “a moment we will always treasure”.