BBC EastEnders icon ‘to return from the dead’ 37 years after dramatic exit
EastEnders fans are convinced that iconic character is going to return after faking her death.
EastEnders viewers are certain that Angie Watts is set to make a dramatic comeback to Albert Square, 37 years after her memorable departure. Actress Anita Dobson, who famously portrayed Angie, the original landlady of The Queen Vic, is remembered for her tumultuous reign behind the bar and her knack for pulling the wool over husband Den’s eyes.
From 1985 to 1988, Dobson played the emotionally exhausted and battling alcoholic Angie, but has always remained a beloved figure in the BBC soap. In the show, big-haired Angie was the unhappy wife of Den Watts, played by Leslie Grantham, and the doting adoptive mother to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
However, when Angie and Den’s marriage began to crumble, she attempted to break up Den and his posh mistress Jan by falsely claiming she had only six months to live. Surprisingly, Den temporarily ended things with Jan and vowed to spend Angie’s final months with her, unaware that Angie’s terminal diagnosis was a fabrication.
EastEnders fans are hoping Angie Watts returns to the BBC soap (Image: BBC)
The truth came out during a trip on the Orient Express, leading to one of the most iconic moments in the show’s history. The Christmas Day 1986 episode, where Dirty Den served Angie divorce papers, remains the most viewed soap episode to date.
Angie Watts left Albert Square in 1988 to live it up with her lover Sonny in sunny Spain before moving on to Miami and tying the knot again. But it wasn’t her tumultuous relationship with ‘Dirty’ Den that was her undoing; Angie met her off-screen demise in 2002 due to cirrhosis of the liver caused by her battle with the bottle, reports Plymouth Live.
Yet, in a twist only a soap could pull off, some die-hard EastEnders fans are predicting Angie’s not really dead and think she will return to Walford for a surprise visit to see her daughter Sharon during the show’s 40th-anniversary celebrations.
Could Anita Dobson be returning to EastEnders as Angie Watts?
As the iconic soap gears up to celebrate its big 4-0 on February 19, viewers have already seen a parade of old faces making their way back to the drama-filled streets. Remember Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman)?
She strutted back into the Square after serving time for offing Den Watts, and David Wicks (Michael French) couldn’t resist dropping in to check on Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).
Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) made our Christmas by turning up out of the blue, and word on the street is that hardman Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) is set to storm back next week for an epic Mitchell brothers reunion.
So, is it really possible that Angie Watts will make an appearance for this landmark event?
EastEnders fans think Angie could reunite with daughter Sharon (Image: BBC)
Fans are all aflutter on social media, with one hopeful viewer posting: “Angie Watts returning to Albert Square on the 40th anniversary after faking her death #EastEnders.” (sic)
Another fan is laying down predictions, saying: “I’m calling it now. Linda will meet Angie Watts briefly at rehab for the 40th anniversary. Viewers will discover that Angie managed to turn her life around and beat her alcoholism in the end. Angie changed her identity and started a new life. #EastEnders.” (sic)
A third chimed in: “Which character would you bring back from the dead? It can only be Angie Watts. #EastEnders #AngieWatts.” (sic)
Another fan was keen to say: “Anita Dobson will be involved in EastEnders 40th Documentary. Just think, Angie could have stepped out of a cab after nearly 40 years if she hadn’t been stupidly killed offscreen #EastEnders.” While someone else popped up replying: “Killed offscreen… a magical sentence that means they can just decide it never really happened.” (sic)
Another noted: “Surely being killed off screen is better than on screen, it actually makes it way more likely she is alive.”
