Anita Dobson Fights Back Tears as She Reflects on Friendship with EastEnders Co-Star
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The recent appearance of Anita Dobson as Angie Watts in EastEnders has left fans and cast members alike in awe. The iconic character’s return to the show was a surprise to many, including her co-star and long-time friend Gillian Taylforth. In an exclusive interview with Metro, the two actresses discussed their enduring friendship and the emotional return of Angie to the show.
EastEnders fans everywhere were left gobsmacked during the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary when Angie Watts made an unexpected appearance. The character appeared as a hallucination to daughter Sharon Watts, who was fighting for her life after being caught in the Queen Vic collapse. Some words of encouragement from her late mum were enough to keep her hanging on until help arrived. With the iconic moment having taken even the cast by surprise, it was no wonder it won the award for Scene of the Year at this year’s British Soap Awards, Metro reports.
Ahead of the star-studded ceremony, Metro had the opportunity to chat to Anita Dobson and Gillian Taylforth about their long-lasting friendship. In the early days of the show, Kathy and Angie were the best of friends, and their relationship is still fondly regarded by fans today. During the interview, both women enthused about their enduring bond, with Anita getting emotional. “We haven’t been able to see each other as much [as we’d like], but I know as soon as I look at her…” Anita said, with Gillian going on to finish the thought. “It’s true. As soon as we see one another the memories come flooding back,” Metro quotes the actresses.
Despite their close bond, even Gillian didn’t know about Anita’s return to the show until it aired on TV. “We knew nothing about the scene that she did with Tish. When we watched it, we all went, ‘Wow, this is what the 40th is all about! This icon coming back to our show!’ Absolutely amazing, and I truly mean that,” Gillian told Metro. The actresses went on to reflect on their first meeting in years, which was captured on an episode of EastEnders revealed before the live episode.
When they did the Revealed show, we just cried when we met again. We still keep in touch now, Gillian explained, before revealing how they still send each other birthday and Christmas cards. Reflecting on her decision to return to the show, Anita said: “It took a lot of talking because I wanted it to be right. I didn’t want to do it if it wasn’t going to actually work. So we had a bit of chatting over the script and it just felt like the right time. And it was the best way to say goodbye to Angie, for me,” Metro reports.
The return of Angie Watts to EastEnders has certainly been a memorable moment for fans of the show. As Metro previously reported, the scene won the award for Scene of the Year at the British Soap Awards. With the enduring friendship between Anita Dobson and Gillian Taylforth, it’s clear that their bond will continue to be a highlight of the show for years to come.
In a testament to their lasting friendship, Anita and Gillian have maintained a strong connection over the years, despite their busy schedules. As they look back on their time on EastEnders, it’s clear that their friendship has been a key part of their success. As Metro has learned, the two actresses have a deep affection for each other, and their bond will continue to be celebrated by fans of the show.
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