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...
Mick Carter returns to The Square
Things kick off with Mick back in Walford but it's safe to say the past isn't in the past because he's constantly reminded of everything Stuart put him through.
EastEnders to bring back two iconic 80s characters for tragic death storyline
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Keanu takes Louise on another driving lesson
Finally, Louise Mitchell is left in a spot of bother when her driving lesson with Keanu Taylor doesn't go to plan.
Mick Carter returns to The Square
Things kick off with Mick back in Walford but it's safe to say the past isn't in the past because he's constantly reminded of everything Stuart put him through.
Later on in the week it becomes clear that despite wanting to get things back on track and being back with the love of his life – Linda – he's hellbent on revenge.
Troubled with Maurice's revelation, Kat opens up to Alfie who tries his best to reassure her.
When Alfie tries to convince her to return home she leaves him stunned – she wants to give baby Cherry up.
Eek!
She's quick to make an exit and when Alfie discovers the truth he tries to comfort his wife however he's left in shock when she confesses what Maurice told her a few weeks ago…
Alfie tries to convince Hayley to return home
Over at the Slater household and everyone is confused with Hayley suddenly moving in with the Ahmeds.
Desperate to make Hayley change her plan, Alfie gets thinking…
When Stacey confides in Max about her concerns, she jumps to conclusions and thinks her suspicions are confirmed when she makes a worrying discovery.
Luckily, Alfie is quick to work out a solution.
Bev returns to the square
Elsewhere Hayley is horrified when her mum Bev turns up needing somewhere to stay.
Kat is then stunned when she returns home and Alfie with Maurice. As she tries to leave, Alfie pleads for her to hear Maurice out – what will he say?
Kat bumps into an unexpected visitor
Later on in the week, Kat is thrilled when Hayley and the little one return to the Slaters.
Kat and Alfie join forces and bring in a lot of business for Mo's Christmas stall, however Kat gets the shock of her life when the elderly man she knocked over a few weeks ago appears.
Everyone is concerned for Jean
Things take a slight turn for Jean when she cleans up the house but accidentally throws her medication in the bin. The rest of the family begin to feel concerned for Jean but they're all unaware that she's actually keeping her mouth zipped on the whole Alfie/Hayley secret baby drama.
Jean almost gets mugged
Next week, Jean's not only stressed because of Alfie and Hayley's baby secret but also all the drama with the choir.
Despite all the drama, at the end of the week Jean is ecstatic when she finds a Christmas present from Ian.
Things begin with Jean almost being mugged – luckily Ian is there to rescue her.
When the choir learn that they're not actually in the competition because Morag missed the deadline, they decide they'll have a carol concert anyway.
Jean begins to feel the pressure and makes a snap decision…
Kim and Karen battle it out
Desperate to be the soloist Kim Fox and Karen Taylor battle it out by practicing all day in the hopes that they'll land the solo spot.
Jean takes on the role as the choir leader
Unfortunately the role as the choirmaster isn't easy and when everything falls apart, Ian hunts down Jean and apologises. They later decide that she should be the choir leader and she's a success.
There's drama in the choir
Later at choir practice, Ian stands up to Morag and nominates himself as her successor when she leaves.
Stacey makes a shocking discovery about Ruby
Elsewhere, Stacey Fowler drops some presents off at Ruby Allen's but is shocked at what she finds…
She's later left appalled when Ruby shows her even more online abuse she's' received.
Ruby is then left annoyed at her BFF when she keeps urging her to go to Matt and Ross's initial court hearing. However when she's alone it soon become clear that she intended to go all along and sets off.
Keanu takes Louise on another driving lesson
Finally, Louise Mitchell is left in a spot of bother when her driving lesson with Keanu Taylor doesn't go to plan.
Mick Carter returns to The Square
Things kick off with Mick back in Walford but it's safe to say the past isn't in the past because he's constantly reminded of everything Stuart put him through.
Later on in the week it becomes clear that despite wanting to get things back on track and being back with the love of his life – Linda – he's hellbent on revenge.
Troubled with Maurice's revelation, Kat opens up to Alfie who tries his best to reassure her.
When Alfie tries to convince her to return home she leaves him stunned – she wants to give baby Cherry up.
Eek!
She's quick to make an exit and when Alfie discovers the truth he tries to comfort his wife however he's left in shock when she confesses what Maurice told her a few weeks ago…
Alfie tries to convince Hayley to return home
Over at the Slater household and everyone is confused with Hayley suddenly moving in with the Ahmeds.
Desperate to make Hayley change her plan, Alfie gets thinking…
When Stacey confides in Max about her concerns, she jumps to conclusions and thinks her suspicions are confirmed when she makes a worrying discovery.
Luckily, Alfie is quick to work out a solution.
Bev returns to the square
Elsewhere Hayley is horrified when her mum Bev turns up needing somewhere to stay.
Kat is then stunned when she returns home and Alfie with Maurice. As she tries to leave, Alfie pleads for her to hear Maurice out – what will he say?
Kat bumps into an unexpected visitor
Later on in the week, Kat is thrilled when Hayley and the little one return to the Slaters.
Kat and Alfie join forces and bring in a lot of business for Mo's Christmas stall, however Kat gets the shock of her life when the elderly man she knocked over a few weeks ago appears.
Everyone is concerned for Jean
Things take a slight turn for Jean when she cleans up the house but accidentally throws her medication in the bin. The rest of the family begin to feel concerned for Jean but they're all unaware that she's actually keeping her mouth zipped on the whole Alfie/Hayley secret baby drama.
Jean almost gets mugged
Next week, Jean's not only stressed because of Alfie and Hayley's baby secret but also all the drama with the choir.
Despite all the drama, at the end of the week Jean is ecstatic when she finds a Christmas present from Ian.
Things begin with Jean almost being mugged – luckily Ian is there to rescue her.
When the choir learn that they're not actually in the competition because Morag missed the deadline, they decide they'll have a carol concert anyway.
Jean begins to feel the pressure and makes a snap decision…
Kim and Karen battle it out
Desperate to be the soloist Kim Fox and Karen Taylor battle it out by practicing all day in the hopes that they'll land the solo spot.
Jean takes on the role as the choir leader
Unfortunately the role as the choirmaster isn't easy and when everything falls apart, Ian hunts down Jean and apologises. They later decide that she should be the choir leader and she's a success.
There's drama in the choir
Later at choir practice, Ian stands up to Morag and nominates himself as her successor when she leaves.
Stacey makes a shocking discovery about Ruby
Elsewhere, Stacey Fowler drops some presents off at Ruby Allen's but is shocked at what she finds…
She's later left appalled when Ruby shows her even more online abuse she's' received.
Ruby is then left annoyed at her BFF when she keeps urging her to go to Matt and Ross's initial court hearing. However when she's alone it soon become clear that she intended to go all along and sets off.
Keanu takes Louise on another driving lesson
Finally, Louise Mitchell is left in a spot of bother when her driving lesson with Keanu Taylor doesn't go to plan.
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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