Anita Dobson as Angie Watts in EastEnders / BBC
Anita Dobson made a shock cameo as Angie Watts in EastEnders tonight as the soap marked its milestone 40th anniversary.
After an explosion left The Vic in ruins, multiple characters found themselves in mortal danger – including Sharon (Letitia Dean), who was trapped underneath rubble on the stairs.
As she lay trying to make sense of the situation, her late mother Angie appeared before her as a hallucination, encouraging her to call out for help.
“Angie Watts is undoubtedly one of EastEnders‘ most formidable and iconic landladies,” explained executive producer Chris Clenshaw. “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.
“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 grace the halls of The Queen Victoria, 40 years to the day she made her first appearance in Walford, is a day we will never forget as we all celebrate this show that has played such an important part in British television. Happy birthday EastEnders.”
Speaking about reuniting with Letitia Dean on screen after 37 years, Dobson said: “[It was] like stepping back into warm water. It was absolutely lovely. That’s what clinched it for me.
“When they initially asked if I would come back when I was filming for the documentary, I wasn’t really thinking of the whole picture at first, and then when they said Letitia had said that she’d like me to do it with her, I thought ‘oh my god, I can’t say no to seeing my baby again.’ It was very emotional. Incredibly emotional in a lovely, happy way.
“Working together again was seamless. We didn’t really think about it, or talk about it, or even rehearse it that much because we just did it. It was lovely. She’s a gorgeous human being and a lovely little actress.”
EastEnders‘ 40th anniversary week concludes on Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer as the soap broadcasts live.
