EASTENDERS has brought back legend Angie Watts for the 40th anniversary hour-long special.
Actress Anita Dobson reprised her role as Queen Vic landlady Angie after 37 years as she appeared to trapped daughter Sharon.
In a stunning scene Sharon – who is played by actress Letitia Dean in the BBC soap – saw a vision of her mum Angie who begged her to start screaming for help.
“Use that voice and you start screaming for help,” she said. “That’s it baby, you start screaming for help. That’s my girl.”
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw said: “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.
“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.”
Actress Anita revealed she had only told her husband Brian May about her return.
“I obviously told Brian, but I honestly haven’t told anybody!” she said.
“It’s been really hard because so many people that I’m really close to have said ‘oh are you going back?’ because I’ve gone back to do the documentary, so it’s been so hard not to say anything.
“But, I’ve been a really good girl and I’ve kept my little mouth shut because I didn’t want there to be any spoilers! [Laughs]”
Speaking about reuniting with Letitia, she said: “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.”
