Aunt Sal (Anna Karen)

Aunt Sal's return to EastEnders could spark big trouble for show newcomer Claudette Hubbard.

Peggy Mitchell's outspoken sister heads back to Walford next week for a family gathering, but it appears that she's far more interested in Claudette when she pays an unexpected visit to her.

In scenes which are bound to spark intrigue among viewers, Sal (Anna Karen) takes time out from the Mitchells' dramas and warns Claudette that she knows her secret. Should Claudette be worried about what her old acquaintance might say?

Ellen Thomas, who plays Claudette, told Inside Soap: "I can't wait for you to find out what little old Claudette has been up to. She thinks the past is long dead and buried - but unfortunately for her, some people return to dig it all up again.

"When she was younger, Claudette was around Walford at the same time as Peggy Mitchell and Aunt Sal. There are a lot of things that went on in those days that come back to haunt her. Let's just say that Aunt Sal Martin knows Claudette Hubbard of old very well indeed!"
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Claudette tells Vincent exactly what she thinks of him
© BBC
It's clear that Claudette is the woman pulling the strings of her mysterious son Vincent (Richard Blackwood), but fans might have to wait until the festive season for all of the puzzle pieces to fall into place.

Thomas continued: "Christmas is magic. We've been filming some scenes recently that are off the hook. All I'll say is fasten your seat belts, because it's going to be a very bumpy ride.

"The scripts are real page-turners. After the cast received them, we were all phoning each other up saying: 'Have you read them yet?' Believe me, the audience is going to be very surprised."

EastEnders airs Aunt Sal's warning to Claudette on Thursday, November 26 at 8.30pm on BBC One.

what's the secret about eric that she knows, he ain't alive is he?

Anna has died

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aunt sal funeral being filmed

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eas...t-sal-funeral/

EastEnders has cast Hollywood actor Alan Ford for an upcoming storyline, according to reports.

The actor, who has starred in movies including Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Exorcist: The Beginning, will be heading to Albert Square for a sad occasion.

The Sun reports that the residents of Walford will be attending a funeral for Aunt Sal, the sister of Peggy Mitchell who was last seen on screen in January 2017 at the funeral of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell following their tragic drowning. Ford's character is expected to attend the funeral.

Ford has actually made a guest appearance in EastEnders before, playing a conman named Sam Sangers in a 1986 episode.

Dodgy Sam tried to con Debbie Wilkins out of belongings owned by her deceased boyfriend, Andy O'Brien, but Pauline Fowler was quick to send him on his way.

It is not yet known whether Ford will play a new character in his next stint, or if Sam will be making a surprise comeback due to an unknown connection with Aunt Sal.

Aunt Sal was last mentioned in 2022, when Sharon Watts suggested that Phil Mitchell may be hiding out in her holiday home while on the run from the police.

The funeral for Aunt Sal comes after actress Anna Karen, who had played her in multiple episodes since her first introduction in 1996, passed away in February 2022 at the age of 85, following a fire at her home.

After the actress' death, EastEnders paid tribute to her in a statement which praised the star for creating "a sharp, quick witted and extremely popular character" that "the audience will never forget".

"Those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness, fun and good humour," the statement continued.

An EastEnders spokesperson declined to comment on the reports of Ford's casting and Aunt Sal's funeral.