Perdita
17-12-2008, 11:26
The last 12 months in London's E20 district have certainly been dramatic. Here, DS takes a look back at all the twists and turns in the lives of the residents of Albert Square.
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January
As the bongs chimed on Big Ben and the New Year was being celebrated in The Vic, Denise struggled to come to terms with Kevin's death after he and Shirley were involved in a car accident. Kevin become impaled on some scaffolding which pierced the body of the car. Deano returned to the Square for his father's funeral on day release from prison. Carly and Denise subsequently left Walford to scatter Kevin's ashes. Meanwhile, after Jay and a gang of yobs headed by Tegs terrorised Dot, Jay found himself on the wrong side of Tegs and was stabbed by the out-of-control youngster. Elsewhere in the month, Tanya's sister Rainie reappeared on the Square; Dawn chose Jase over Garry; Roxy caught Jack and Selina at it; and Dot recorded a message for Jim.
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February
The month of February saw the return of Clare Bates when she was thrown back onto the Square from a moving car. She immediately began to sink her claws into a more-than-delighted Ian. Meanwhile, Stacey tracked down Bradley after speaking to his mother Rachel. When she finally arranged to meet with him, the pair ended up at St. Paul's Cathedral where Stacey finally told Bradley that she couldn't be with him any longer, before handing back her wedding ring. Elsewhere in the month, Hazel left Minty; Deano made his final brief return to the Square; Sean revealed to Tanya that he 'killed' his father; Tanya lost it at the divorce hearing; and Charlie touched Yolande inappropriately.
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March
Sean and Tanya's affair continued into March, while Tanya's plan to take Max for everything he owned was also on track. After calling off the divorce proceedings, Tanya suggested that Max put his money where his mouth was and sign over all of his assets to her to prove that he's committed to the family. Later in the month, however, Tanya found the transfer documents ripped up in Max's briefcase – he was playing a game, too, and had no intention of signing them over. With Sean's help, Tanya put her plan into action - she duly drugged Max before forcing him to re-live his childhood nightmare by burying him alive. Elsewhere in the month, Steven and Stacey became an item; Shirley had a cancer scare; Lucy trashed the Beales', prompting Ian to lash out and Lucy to run away; and Sean descended into drug dealing.
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April
The beginning of April saw the week-long tribute to Frank Butcher - comic Mike Reid - in the form of Frank Week. The residents of Albert Square turned out to pay tribute to a man they all knew and loved. The ceremony saw the brief returns of Diane and Janine, while Ricky had returned on a more permanent basis after falling out with his girlfriend. Bianca also made her comeback to Walford. However, with her kids in the social's care, she vowed to get them back - with Ricky's help. The Jackson Five - Liam, Tiffany, Whitney, Morgan and Bianca - were eventually reunited. Meanwhile, Roxy betrayed her sister Ronnie by sleeping with her boyfriend Jack. Elsewhere in the month, Chelsea tracked down her father Lucas; Sean terrorised Gus; Steven couldn't perform in the bedroom department, much to Stacey's dismay; Heather and Minty embarked on their short-lived marriage; and Steve kissed Christian, but later claimed that Christian 'came onto him'.
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May
Following the revelation that Steven kissed Christian, Ian questioned his son about his sexuality. However, Ian's mind was still on his daughter Lucy's disappearance. It soon became apparent, however, that Steven had been hiding her in a remote caravan. When Pat discovered Steven's lie, she ended up under the wheels of Roxy's Jeep after giving chase to Steven across the Square. While Pat was in hospital, Steven tried to suffocate his gran in a bid to keep his secret quiet. Ian rumbled Steven's plans, however, and secured her return home after catching them at St. Pancras. Elsewhere in the month, Gus left Walford; Roxy found out that she was pregnant, news which both Sean and Jack later heard; Chelsea struggled to knock her drug habit on the head; Sean kidnapped Jean and took her on a short drive; Ronnie and Roxy tried to flee to Ibiza; and Tanya and Jack embarked on a new relationship.
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June
The Miller family dominated the month of June from the offset when they discovered that they'd won the lottery. When Keith lost the ticket, however, the rest of the family were fuming. Despite Dawn's worst fears that Jase was going to end their relationship, she was shocked when he proposed - an offer which she gracefully accepted. Jase spent a lot of the month working at 'Jenny's house, completely unaware that 'Jenny' was actually 'Mad' May Wright. Dawn soon came face-to-face with her nemesis when May returned to the Square again to take Summer. After holding Summer and Mickey hostage, Mickey saved the day, but things when bad to worse when May resolved that if she couldn't have Summer, nobody could - so she blew up the Millers' house by leaving the cooker on and lighting a cigarette. Elsewhere in the month, a mystery person (which turned out to be Whitney) found the winning lottery ticket; Bradley romanced Clare; Denise returned to Walford to a family crisis; Charlie went on a date with Brenda; and Max returned to Walford to the news that his brother was sleeping with his wife.
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July
The Mitchells descended on Weymouth for a special bank of off-Square episodes during the month of July. With Roxy missing, Sean was a man on a mission and pushed Billy to reveal her location. Ronnie felt betrayed that Peggy had lured her down south under false pretenses when Ronnie came face-too-face with Archie. While Ronnie and Roxy relived the past, Sean was drawing ever closer and eventually tracked her down. As Roxy and Sean resolved to bring up the baby together, Archie dropped a huge bombshell on Ronnie - the daughter she gave up all those years ago died when she was young. Meanwhile, at the end of the month, Roxy and Sean planned their wedding in secret. Despite Sean's disappearing and reappearing act before the ceremony, the nuptials didn't go without a hitch, as Ronnie barged into the Register Office. Elsewhere in the month, Mickey and Keith left Walford for pastures new; Max kissed Ronnie; Phil met Suzy for the first time and ended up sleeping with her; Whitney revealed all about the lottery ticket; and a tarantula was loose on the market.
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August
In what was probably one of the most emotional scenes of the year, much-loved pet Wellard was put to sleep during the month of August. Meanwhile, Stacey's pregnancy scare caused Bradley and Stacey to discuss their future. Despite the test being negative, they resolved to give their relationship another go and were shocked when Max handed Bradley a £40,000 cheque for his 21st birthday. The end of the month spelled tragedy for Jase the night before his wedding when he was brutally killed by Terry and his gang of football hooligans, leaving Dawn devastated. Elsewhere in the month, Clare made the decision to leave Walford; Jim returned home for his birthday; Christian struggled to cope playing dad to Lucy while she was going out with Olly; and Callum and Danielle turned up in Walford, with Callum immediately taking a shine to Stacey.
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September
Despite agreeing to give things another go with Bradley, Stacey found herself tempted by new arrival Callum, who played on Stacey's friendship with Danielle to steal a kiss with Stacey. Meanwhile, Ian got more than he bargained for as he spied on the residents of Albert Square from Lucy's bedroom window. He spotted Phil handing Max a gun. Max and Phil, however, quickly threw Ian off the scent by claiming it was a car part. Bianca's boyfriend Tony turned up in Walford after being released from prison. He continued his relationship with Whitney and ended up punching Peter through his overprotectiveness. Elsewhere in the month, Honey left Walford, taking the kids with her; Jack revealed all to Tanya about Penny's accident; Bianca proposed to Tony; Archie was withholding Ronnie's mail; and Max tried to push Callum out of Walford with a cheque for £1,000.
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October
After discovering that Max gave Callum a cheque for £1,000 to leave Walford (and Stacey), Bradley lost his temper with his father and wished him dead. Near the end of the month, Max's plan to frame Jack for attempted murder took a dramatic turn when Max was mown down by a speeding car and was left for dead. Meanwhile, following Jase's funeral, Billy visited Jay in the children's home, where Jay asked him if he could live with him. Billy gladly accepted the idea. However, Billy soon began to question his new responsibilities, while Jay continued to struggle without his father. Elsewhere in the month, Ronnie attended her school reunion; Yolande left Walford; Bradley had a big win on the horses; Danielle's secret was revealed; Ian discovered Jane's favourite pastime to be comedy; Zainab closed the Post Office; Shabnam left the Square; and Lucas and Denise shared a kiss.
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November
The investigation into Max's attempted murder dominated November, with Jack initially the main suspect. Ronnie, however, provided him with an alibi, much to the shock of Tanya, who couldn't understand why he was with Ronnie that night. Bradley then found himself in the limelight after failing to visit Max in hospital. When he eventually did, though, he wished that he wouldn't wake up. Lauren, meanwhile, made a shocking confession to Tanya that she knew what happened to Max, resulting in Tanya confessing to the police herself. When Max eventually woke from his coma, Bradley took pleasure in telling him about Tanya's 'betrayal'. Meanwhile, Roxy went into premature labour and gave birth to a baby girl, which they eventually named Amy. A brief misunderstanding saw Roxy agree to let Christian bring the baby up as his own, but Roxy and Sean eventually resolved their differences. Elsewhere in the month, Jane continued her standup comedy; Jane's mum Linda reappeared on the Square; Archie's interference began to annoy Sean; Rickynearly rumbled Tony and Whitney's relationship; and Phil slept with Shirley.
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December
Early December saw the dramatic reveal of Tony and Whitney's relationship to the rest of the family. Whitney finally plucked up the courage to tell Bianca that she'd been sleeping with her fiancé. Bianca, however, refused to believe her step-daughter's accusations, but after confronting Tony realisation soon began to set in that Tony had been grooming Whitney since she was 12. After a dramatic and emotional showdown, Tony was eventually arrested on the Square. Meanwhile, Jack told Roxy that he wanted a paternity test.
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January
As the bongs chimed on Big Ben and the New Year was being celebrated in The Vic, Denise struggled to come to terms with Kevin's death after he and Shirley were involved in a car accident. Kevin become impaled on some scaffolding which pierced the body of the car. Deano returned to the Square for his father's funeral on day release from prison. Carly and Denise subsequently left Walford to scatter Kevin's ashes. Meanwhile, after Jay and a gang of yobs headed by Tegs terrorised Dot, Jay found himself on the wrong side of Tegs and was stabbed by the out-of-control youngster. Elsewhere in the month, Tanya's sister Rainie reappeared on the Square; Dawn chose Jase over Garry; Roxy caught Jack and Selina at it; and Dot recorded a message for Jim.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February
The month of February saw the return of Clare Bates when she was thrown back onto the Square from a moving car. She immediately began to sink her claws into a more-than-delighted Ian. Meanwhile, Stacey tracked down Bradley after speaking to his mother Rachel. When she finally arranged to meet with him, the pair ended up at St. Paul's Cathedral where Stacey finally told Bradley that she couldn't be with him any longer, before handing back her wedding ring. Elsewhere in the month, Hazel left Minty; Deano made his final brief return to the Square; Sean revealed to Tanya that he 'killed' his father; Tanya lost it at the divorce hearing; and Charlie touched Yolande inappropriately.
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March
Sean and Tanya's affair continued into March, while Tanya's plan to take Max for everything he owned was also on track. After calling off the divorce proceedings, Tanya suggested that Max put his money where his mouth was and sign over all of his assets to her to prove that he's committed to the family. Later in the month, however, Tanya found the transfer documents ripped up in Max's briefcase – he was playing a game, too, and had no intention of signing them over. With Sean's help, Tanya put her plan into action - she duly drugged Max before forcing him to re-live his childhood nightmare by burying him alive. Elsewhere in the month, Steven and Stacey became an item; Shirley had a cancer scare; Lucy trashed the Beales', prompting Ian to lash out and Lucy to run away; and Sean descended into drug dealing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April
The beginning of April saw the week-long tribute to Frank Butcher - comic Mike Reid - in the form of Frank Week. The residents of Albert Square turned out to pay tribute to a man they all knew and loved. The ceremony saw the brief returns of Diane and Janine, while Ricky had returned on a more permanent basis after falling out with his girlfriend. Bianca also made her comeback to Walford. However, with her kids in the social's care, she vowed to get them back - with Ricky's help. The Jackson Five - Liam, Tiffany, Whitney, Morgan and Bianca - were eventually reunited. Meanwhile, Roxy betrayed her sister Ronnie by sleeping with her boyfriend Jack. Elsewhere in the month, Chelsea tracked down her father Lucas; Sean terrorised Gus; Steven couldn't perform in the bedroom department, much to Stacey's dismay; Heather and Minty embarked on their short-lived marriage; and Steve kissed Christian, but later claimed that Christian 'came onto him'.
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May
Following the revelation that Steven kissed Christian, Ian questioned his son about his sexuality. However, Ian's mind was still on his daughter Lucy's disappearance. It soon became apparent, however, that Steven had been hiding her in a remote caravan. When Pat discovered Steven's lie, she ended up under the wheels of Roxy's Jeep after giving chase to Steven across the Square. While Pat was in hospital, Steven tried to suffocate his gran in a bid to keep his secret quiet. Ian rumbled Steven's plans, however, and secured her return home after catching them at St. Pancras. Elsewhere in the month, Gus left Walford; Roxy found out that she was pregnant, news which both Sean and Jack later heard; Chelsea struggled to knock her drug habit on the head; Sean kidnapped Jean and took her on a short drive; Ronnie and Roxy tried to flee to Ibiza; and Tanya and Jack embarked on a new relationship.
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June
The Miller family dominated the month of June from the offset when they discovered that they'd won the lottery. When Keith lost the ticket, however, the rest of the family were fuming. Despite Dawn's worst fears that Jase was going to end their relationship, she was shocked when he proposed - an offer which she gracefully accepted. Jase spent a lot of the month working at 'Jenny's house, completely unaware that 'Jenny' was actually 'Mad' May Wright. Dawn soon came face-to-face with her nemesis when May returned to the Square again to take Summer. After holding Summer and Mickey hostage, Mickey saved the day, but things when bad to worse when May resolved that if she couldn't have Summer, nobody could - so she blew up the Millers' house by leaving the cooker on and lighting a cigarette. Elsewhere in the month, a mystery person (which turned out to be Whitney) found the winning lottery ticket; Bradley romanced Clare; Denise returned to Walford to a family crisis; Charlie went on a date with Brenda; and Max returned to Walford to the news that his brother was sleeping with his wife.
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July
The Mitchells descended on Weymouth for a special bank of off-Square episodes during the month of July. With Roxy missing, Sean was a man on a mission and pushed Billy to reveal her location. Ronnie felt betrayed that Peggy had lured her down south under false pretenses when Ronnie came face-too-face with Archie. While Ronnie and Roxy relived the past, Sean was drawing ever closer and eventually tracked her down. As Roxy and Sean resolved to bring up the baby together, Archie dropped a huge bombshell on Ronnie - the daughter she gave up all those years ago died when she was young. Meanwhile, at the end of the month, Roxy and Sean planned their wedding in secret. Despite Sean's disappearing and reappearing act before the ceremony, the nuptials didn't go without a hitch, as Ronnie barged into the Register Office. Elsewhere in the month, Mickey and Keith left Walford for pastures new; Max kissed Ronnie; Phil met Suzy for the first time and ended up sleeping with her; Whitney revealed all about the lottery ticket; and a tarantula was loose on the market.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August
In what was probably one of the most emotional scenes of the year, much-loved pet Wellard was put to sleep during the month of August. Meanwhile, Stacey's pregnancy scare caused Bradley and Stacey to discuss their future. Despite the test being negative, they resolved to give their relationship another go and were shocked when Max handed Bradley a £40,000 cheque for his 21st birthday. The end of the month spelled tragedy for Jase the night before his wedding when he was brutally killed by Terry and his gang of football hooligans, leaving Dawn devastated. Elsewhere in the month, Clare made the decision to leave Walford; Jim returned home for his birthday; Christian struggled to cope playing dad to Lucy while she was going out with Olly; and Callum and Danielle turned up in Walford, with Callum immediately taking a shine to Stacey.
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September
Despite agreeing to give things another go with Bradley, Stacey found herself tempted by new arrival Callum, who played on Stacey's friendship with Danielle to steal a kiss with Stacey. Meanwhile, Ian got more than he bargained for as he spied on the residents of Albert Square from Lucy's bedroom window. He spotted Phil handing Max a gun. Max and Phil, however, quickly threw Ian off the scent by claiming it was a car part. Bianca's boyfriend Tony turned up in Walford after being released from prison. He continued his relationship with Whitney and ended up punching Peter through his overprotectiveness. Elsewhere in the month, Honey left Walford, taking the kids with her; Jack revealed all to Tanya about Penny's accident; Bianca proposed to Tony; Archie was withholding Ronnie's mail; and Max tried to push Callum out of Walford with a cheque for £1,000.
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October
After discovering that Max gave Callum a cheque for £1,000 to leave Walford (and Stacey), Bradley lost his temper with his father and wished him dead. Near the end of the month, Max's plan to frame Jack for attempted murder took a dramatic turn when Max was mown down by a speeding car and was left for dead. Meanwhile, following Jase's funeral, Billy visited Jay in the children's home, where Jay asked him if he could live with him. Billy gladly accepted the idea. However, Billy soon began to question his new responsibilities, while Jay continued to struggle without his father. Elsewhere in the month, Ronnie attended her school reunion; Yolande left Walford; Bradley had a big win on the horses; Danielle's secret was revealed; Ian discovered Jane's favourite pastime to be comedy; Zainab closed the Post Office; Shabnam left the Square; and Lucas and Denise shared a kiss.
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November
The investigation into Max's attempted murder dominated November, with Jack initially the main suspect. Ronnie, however, provided him with an alibi, much to the shock of Tanya, who couldn't understand why he was with Ronnie that night. Bradley then found himself in the limelight after failing to visit Max in hospital. When he eventually did, though, he wished that he wouldn't wake up. Lauren, meanwhile, made a shocking confession to Tanya that she knew what happened to Max, resulting in Tanya confessing to the police herself. When Max eventually woke from his coma, Bradley took pleasure in telling him about Tanya's 'betrayal'. Meanwhile, Roxy went into premature labour and gave birth to a baby girl, which they eventually named Amy. A brief misunderstanding saw Roxy agree to let Christian bring the baby up as his own, but Roxy and Sean eventually resolved their differences. Elsewhere in the month, Jane continued her standup comedy; Jane's mum Linda reappeared on the Square; Archie's interference began to annoy Sean; Rickynearly rumbled Tony and Whitney's relationship; and Phil slept with Shirley.
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December
Early December saw the dramatic reveal of Tony and Whitney's relationship to the rest of the family. Whitney finally plucked up the courage to tell Bianca that she'd been sleeping with her fiancé. Bianca, however, refused to believe her step-daughter's accusations, but after confronting Tony realisation soon began to set in that Tony had been grooming Whitney since she was 12. After a dramatic and emotional showdown, Tony was eventually arrested on the Square. Meanwhile, Jack told Roxy that he wanted a paternity test.