EastEnders to bring back two iconic 80s characters for tragic death storyline

They were ORIGINAL characters

EastEnders
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 12th Dec 2018
Last updated 12th Dec 2018

EastEnders are reportedly set to bring back two of the show's original characters for a tragic death storyline next year. Show bosses are planning to kill off Dot Branning's old friend, Doctor Harold Legg - another original character - who returned earlier this year to tell Dot he wouldn't be around for much longer.

Fans of the show back in the 80s will be happy to hear that Tom Watt and Linda Davidson will be reprising their roles as Lofty Holloway and Mary Smith, who appeared in the show from its launch in February 1985.

Tom, now 62, and 54-year-old Linda both left the show after three years in 1988 - but are set to return after 30 years away for Doctor Legg's funeral.

According to Metro.co.uk, a TV source has said that Lofty and Mary The Punk are "two of the most memorable characters of the original set of stars," and that it’s "staggering" to think it’s been more than 30 years since they were last on the Square, "but soap fans will be delighted to hear of their comeback."

They added, "Regular viewers will know Dr. Legg's health is bad and it’s thought his death will play out in February next year, and these two will be back around the time of his funeral."

Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for next week...

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EastEnders to bring back two iconic 80s characters for tragic death storyline
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Lofty was described as being 'meek and hapless', and had a relationship with Michelle Fowler around the time that she was pregnant with Vicki by the then-unknown father, who turned out to be 'Dirty' Den Watts - the father of her best friend, Sharon Watts.

After Lofty proposed and offered to adopt her daughter, Michelle jilted him before they reunited and got married - but when she fell pregnant with his child, she aborted it immediately, leaving Lofty devastated and spurring him on to leave the Square to live in Bedfordshire.

Following his departure from EastEnders, Tom became a sports journalist, and was the ghost-writer for David Beckham's autobiography, My Side, released in 2003.

Mary The Punk was Walford's original 'wild child', and had a young daughter named Annie when she arrived in the Square. She had a tumultuous time during her three-year stint in Walford, and actress Linda has now gone on to run her own social media company.

The characters are thought to return in February next year.

EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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