EastEnders legend Anita Dobson reveals the sad reason why she thinks she could never make a comeback to the soap
Anita Dobson thinks she is ‘too old’ to return to EastEnders.
The actress, 74, played Angie Watts in the BBC One soap opera from the very first episode in 1985 until 1988.
But despite fond memories of her time on the series and filming the famous scene where Den (Lesley Grantham) served her divorce papers in 1986, Anita believes she is too old to make a comeback.
On ITV’s Lorraine, she told stand-in presenter Louise Minchin: ‘When we were filming the movie I knew it was a great scene, the relationship between us was really good.
‘I didn’t realize the impact we would have on the audience and to this day I am happy. I love that everyone has taken the Watts to their hearts. I don’t think I could do that [go back] in my old age, now I’m too old! Everyone’s almost gone!’
Anita Dobson reveals the sad reason why she thinks she can never make a comeback in EastEnders
More than 30 million viewers tuned in on Christmas Day 1986 to see husband Den (Leslie Grantham) serve her divorce papers and it remains one of the most watched broadcasts ever, coming just after the 1966 World Cup final, Princess Diana’s funeral and the 1969 documentary about the royal family.
Since her time on EastEnders, Anita has had a long television career, but has also appeared in musicals such as Wicked and Annie.
Now she’s set to play Mrs Flood in the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special and claimed the ‘secret’ to the show’s long-lasting success is that it moves with the times.
She said: “I think the secret, from my point of view, is that it keeps changing.
‘That it keeps coming up with different ideas, with different doctors, with different situations.
It moves with the times and with technology, I think that keeps it going.”
In real life, Anita has been married to Queen rocker Brian May, 76, since 2000, but the couple never normally spend the run-up to Christmas together as she normally does pantomine.
But this year Anita couldn’t commit to a panto run because she was working well into December.
Anita rose to fame as part of the original cast of EastEnders as Angie Watts (pictured with Leslie Grantham as on-screen husband Den)
The 1986 Christmas Day episode in which Den Angie served divorce papers is still one of the most watched broadcasts in history
In real life, the actress is married to Sir Brian May (pictured) and explained that the couple are looking forward to spending Christmas together this year as she has no theater commitments.
This means that the couple can ‘close the doors’ and enjoy the holidays together for a change.
She said: ‘Most of the time I’m working and doing pantomime.
‘This year, because I was working quite late, I’m not very happy with the run-up to Christmas.
“We decided, Brian and I, that we’re just going to close the doors and just be ourselves.”