Abigail
10-03-2008, 12:36
BRAVE EastEnders favourite John Bardon is set to stun fans by returning to the show just months after suffering a serious stroke.
John, 68, who plays Dot Cotton’s hubby Jim Branning, is still regaining speech and walking ability after last June’s attack.
But he has told TV bosses he wants to get back to the Square.
Jim’s absence was also blamed on a stroke.
In a special solo show earlier this year, Dot was seen recording a message telling her hubby she couldn’t face caring for him at home.
Just weeks ago June, 81, revealed she missed John “very much”. She said she “shed a couple of tears” while watching her solo episode.
And a show insider told The Sun: “June is thrilled John is returning.”
June had said she felt “grumpy” since John’s departure left her with fewer good storylines.
She said: “You get cross and grumpy sometimes, or resentful.
“You don’t get good storylines and you hang around just to say lines like, ‘I’ll have a tomato juice’.” But last week EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer visited John – being cared for by wife Enda – about his comeback.
A show source said: “John is doing really well and we’re overwhelmed he wants to return.
“Other people who have suffered serious strokes can be given a boost by watching John.”
John will go back to the EastEnders studios in Elstree, Herts, in the summer.
But the whole plan will depend on his rehabilitation.
June – who has made frequent visits to her co-star – said: “He is walking now and can move his arm again. He just needs to work on talking.”
John, 68, who plays Dot Cotton’s hubby Jim Branning, is still regaining speech and walking ability after last June’s attack.
But he has told TV bosses he wants to get back to the Square.
Jim’s absence was also blamed on a stroke.
In a special solo show earlier this year, Dot was seen recording a message telling her hubby she couldn’t face caring for him at home.
Just weeks ago June, 81, revealed she missed John “very much”. She said she “shed a couple of tears” while watching her solo episode.
And a show insider told The Sun: “June is thrilled John is returning.”
June had said she felt “grumpy” since John’s departure left her with fewer good storylines.
She said: “You get cross and grumpy sometimes, or resentful.
“You don’t get good storylines and you hang around just to say lines like, ‘I’ll have a tomato juice’.” But last week EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer visited John – being cared for by wife Enda – about his comeback.
A show source said: “John is doing really well and we’re overwhelmed he wants to return.
“Other people who have suffered serious strokes can be given a boost by watching John.”
John will go back to the EastEnders studios in Elstree, Herts, in the summer.
But the whole plan will depend on his rehabilitation.
June – who has made frequent visits to her co-star – said: “He is walking now and can move his arm again. He just needs to work on talking.”