Anita Robson revealed the one thing she told Brian May but couldn’t tell anyone else. (Image: ITV)
Anita Dobson made a sensational return to as the iconic Angie Watts for the show’s 40th anniversary, and she disclosed that only her husband was in on the secret of her surprise comeback.
Dressed in the same striped shirt and blazer from 1985, in The Queen Vic to support her on-screen daughter Sharon Watts (played by Letitia Dean), who was depicted struggling for survival after a pub explosion.
Speaking to the , Dobson revealed that she confided solely in her spouse, rock legend , about her return to Albert Square. “I obviously told Brian, but I honestly haven’t told anybody!” she exclaimed.
“It’s been really hard because so many people that I’m really close to have said, ‘Oh, are you going back?’ because I’ve gone back to do the documentary, so it’s been so hard not to say anything.
“But I’ve been a really good girl and I’ve kept my little mouth shut because I didn’t want there to be any spoilers!”
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Despite her lengthy absence from the soap, Dobson felt slipping back into the role of Angie Watts was like second nature, and she described reuniting with Letitia Dean as “incredibly emotional in a lovely, happy way”.
executive producer Chris Clenshaw also chimed in: “Angie Watts is undoubtedly one of most formidable and iconic landladies.
“Since the very first episode, Anita instantly created a character that the audience adored and she not only shaped into the show it is today, but also had a huge impact on British television.
“Anita was, of course, top of our ultimate wish list when we were discussing what we would love to include in our special anniversary week, so it was the best birthday present we could ever receive when she said yes.”
Angie and Den Watts during the iconic Christmas episode in 1986. (Image: BBC)
Anita’s return to sparked a frenzy amongst the soap’s loyal fanbase.
One exclaimed on X/Twitter: “Angie Watts on the # end credits for the first time since 1989 – and among some 90s legends. What an actual goosebump-inducing moment. #EastEnders40.”
Another wrote: “It’s only February, but this is already the TV moment of 2025, the hair, the costume, the script, not being spoilt in advance, the unexpected… just absolute perfection, I stood up off my sofa.”
And a third said: “If there’s an award for greatest TV moment then #AnitaDobson deserves it for reprising the ICONIC character of Angie Watts, Sharon’s mum and the first and greatest landlady of The Queen Vic in #. I bet I wasn’t the only one who squealed out in joy at the time. #EastEnders40.”