We can only hope....Quote:
Originally Posted by lizann
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We can only hope....Quote:
Originally Posted by lizann
http://www.soapsquawk.co.uk/12397-2/Quote:
Originally Posted by parkerman
http://www.soapsquawk.co.uk/12397-2/Quote:
Originally Posted by parkerman
:cheer::thumbsup::cheer:Quote:
Originally Posted by lizann
grant return seems inevitable
One of EastEnders' most-loved characters is set to leave Albert Square for good, after it was revealed that Peggy Mitchell will make her final appearance on the soap in late spring.
Barbara Windsor's Peggy made a surprise return to the show last night (January 15), tragically revealing that the cancer she had previously beaten had returned.
EastEnders producers confirmed that the decision to leave the soap was made by Windsor last summer.
Discussing her exit, Windsor said: "Everyone knows I love EastEnders and that will never change.
"Peggy is a character close to my heart but I made the decision a while ago that I need to say goodbye to Peggy once and for all as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back and that is something I need to shut the door on.
"After thinking long and hard about it, I realised that it is time for me and the audience to say our final farewells to the lady who I have loved for many years and I thought that whilst the guvnor, who I adore, is still in charge I want him to be the one to oversee it."
She added: "I am grateful that Dominic has accepted my decision and together, since late last summer, we have been secretly plotting Peggy's last scenes."
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Barbara is the real guvnor of EastEnders.
"So when she told me her decision back in the summer, we both had a little cry before getting excited about how Peggy Mitchell, the matriarch to end all matriarchs could bid her final farewell to Albert Square.
"In Peggy Mitchell, Barbara has created one of the greatest ever characters on British television, someone who has become as synonymous with EastEnders as The Queen Vic itself.
"So this is the end of an EastEnders era. But it is also an opportunity to send Peggy Mitchell out in style in what will be one of the most heartbreaking, uplifting and epic exits an EastEnders character has ever had."
He added: "We can't wait to have Barbara back at EastEnders, even if it is for the final time. The most professional of professionals on set and off, and a true friend, we have all been working harder than ever to make Barbara and Peggy Mitchell proud."
Windsor first appeared as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders back in 1994.
Digital Spy
That's what I love about Babs, sorry, Dame Babs, so modest and so self-effacing.
Totally and absolutely the right decision your Dameship, I've already shut and bolted the door.:thumbsup::clap::cheer::bow::DQuote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
better exit if bobby killed her
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:Quote:
Originally Posted by lizann
Aren't EE repeating stories again? As I recall; didn't Pat Butcher die of cancer?
After Barbara Windsor made a surprise return to EastEnders last night, fans have been calling for a full Mitchell reunion.
With Peggy revealing that her cancer had returned, fans want Ross Kemp and Daniella Westbrook to return as Grant and Sam to say goodbye for good.
However, fans will have to wait for Westbrook to get evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house first. In fact, before she went into the house, Westbrook said that she fancies a role in Emmerdale.
In more optimistic news, Kemp has previously said he's open to a return to the square, so you never know who might turn up next.
I can imagine both making a guest appearance attending Peggy´s funeral, don´t think they will be back long term though
http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...eggy-will-die/
kim 2nd one back as sam than no nose danny
Has she already filmed her death exit?
I am not keen on a repeat of Pat's death
I want to see Peggy clash with Claudette
If she returning to live and die in Phil's house or the Vic?
I think she dies just as the Queen lowers her sword on her shoulder and says, "I now dub thee, Dame Peggy of Blue Balls."
I know Peggy's not a well liked character here at SoapBoards, and I'll probably get some stick for saying this, but I've always enjoyed the character and am sad that she's being killed off. I think it has the potential to be an iconic storyline, especially if she can help Phil face his demons (in other words his father) once and for all.
The problem is that Ms Windsor has never been much of an actress and the last couple of appearances she's made have been truly cringeworthy! Maybe that's why she was almost mute in Friday's episode: DTC has decided to give Peggy as little dialogue as they can get away with? :D
I wonder how often she'll appear on screen in the coming months? I doubt Barbara will want to return full time.
Personally I liked Windsor, but then again by the time I started watching EE regular, she didn't have much screen time and she then left, so maybe I'm not the best one to judge.
I think this is a good exit and not a repeat of Pat Butcher.
Pat got ill with a very aggressive, late diagnosed cancer.
Babs had the breast cancer it was treated and we never heard about it again, which as a lot of us know, isn't what happens. There is always the worry it will return and you are always conscious of it
Pat and Peggy dying of cancer is the same even if cancer is different form or other part of the bodyQuote:
Originally Posted by sarah c
Perhaps Peggy will go out on her own terms, get Phil to assist or assist herself by suicide
We have had Charlie die recently and Shabham's baby, do we really need another death by illness
I want to see Peggy mix it up with Claudette and even Gavin too
EastEnders: Grant's back... For Peggy's death!
With the news that legends Ross Kemp and Barbara Windsor will return for one hell of a Mitchell reunion, we answer the BIG questions...
It's going to be the end of an era in Walford - with the news that Peggy Mitchell is to be killed off in a heartbreaking storyline!
It will be last orders for the legendary Queen Vic landlady when she dies from cancer, a disease that she's fought off twice, later this year. But the big news doesn't stop there, Peggy's son - and Phil's brother - Grant is heading home to Albert Square to say his final goodbyes to his mum! So the stage is set for an explosive Mitchell family reunion - but how, and when, can we expect the drama to unfold?
Inside Soap has the answers to all your questions about the biggest soap news this year...
Why does Peggy have to die? She's a Walford icon!
It's with a heavy heart that actress Barbara Windsor has decided to call time on her love affair with EastEnders. The star has been tempted back to the show on three separate occasions since she quit in 2010, and explains that killing Peggy is the only way to bring one of the most amazing chapters in her life to a close.
"Everyone knows I love EastEnders, and that will never change," explains national treasure Barbara, who took over the role of Peggy from actress Jo Warne in 1994. "Peggy is a character close to my heart, but I made the decision a while ago that I needed to say goodbye once and for all. Otherwise she'll always be there, urging me to go back."
Big stories take major planning. How on earth did bosses keep it a secret?
With meticulous plotting! Viewers were floored when Peggy made a surprise appearance in a recent episode, during which she broke the news of her deadly diagnosis to Phil. Barbara and co-star Steve McFadden, who plays him, filmed the top-secret episode back in November 2015, but the plan for Peggy's passing has been in place a lot longer.
"Barbara is the real guv'nor of EastEnders," insists the show's executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins. "When she told me of her decision last summer, we both had a little cry before getting excited about how Peggy Mitchell - the matriarch to end all matriarchs - could bid her final farewell to Albert Square."
But how did bosses persuade Ross Kemp to return as Grant? Isn't he on the other side of the world filming documentaries on gangs?
The actor actually has a brand-new series entitled Ross Kemp's Britain coming out in March, so he's been a lot closer to home than people think! And to say that he's at the top of every EastEnders producer's 'return wish list' is an understatement.
The rumour mill went into overdrive last February as newspapers speculated over whether the star would reprise the role of Grant for the show's 30th anniversary. EastEnders star Danny Dyer, who plays Mick, recently let slip that the character's return has been "on and off" for a while, and Ross himself has always stressed that he would never say never to a Walford comeback. However, it was one final story with his dear old Square mum that finally persuaded him to say yes.
"Have you ever tried to say no to Dame Barbara?" he tweeted, after the news of his return first broke. "When EastEnders approached me about her final episodes, it was something I couldn't turn down," Ross added later. "Barbara is a very close friend, so it felt right that the Mitchell brothers should be reunited with their mother for one last time."
So when will Peggy and Grant be back on our screens? And how long will Phil's brother stick around this time?
Show sources confirm that Peggy's sad goodbye will air in late spring - and they'll be making the most of having the Mitchell brothers back on screen together.
"To have the brothers come face to face again, having to accept losing their mother, is an opportunity to show Ross and Steve at their very best," promises Dominic - and the good news is that Grant's return won't be for one night only...
"I'm really looking forward to going back to EastEnders, and filming what are set to be some classic episodes," grins Ross, indicating that Grant's appearance will most definitely trump Nick Berry's post-credits cameo, when Pat Evans' son Wicksy briefly returned to the Square to pay his respects at her graveside. "I'm excited about working with Barbara, Steve and Letitia Dean (Sharon), and all the cast."
Sharon's not Grant's only unfinished business in Walford, though, is she?
Oh no she's not! The last time he visited, in 2006, Jane Beale succumbed to Grant's charms, cheating on partner Ian. So are the trio in for an awkward reunion? There's also the issue of Kathy, whom he once slept with - much to Phil's outrage! And what if Grant's daughter Courtney is with him, giving him the runaround? There are any number of issues.
Speaking of mischievous madams, are we going to see the return of Phil and Grant's sister, Sam?
The answer to that question is still yet to be confirmed. Fans have been calling the return of Peggy's wayward daughter. Original actress Danniella Westbrook has been busy as a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother, while Kim Medcalf - who played Sam from 2002 to 2005 before Danniella reclaimed the part in 2009 - has been working on stage. But that's not to say show chiefs won't approach one of them...
"Peggy's final episodes are still being sorted, so it's too early to say if any other Mitchells will be returning," says an EastEnders spokesperson. "We have definitely not ruled out anyone at this stage."
Danniella made clear her wish to return to soap before she entered the Big Brother house, revealing that she wanted a part in rival soap Emmerdale. However, a pre-prepared tweet which was made live on her page while she was on the house may indicate that Danniella, too, is heading for Walford...
"I would love nothing more than to return to EastEnders," tweeted the star. "It was my home and my family for many years, and I miss it terribly. #Alwayssamitchell."
So, as more information comes to light on what is sure to be one of the biggest storylines in EastEnders history, Inside Soap is poised to bring you all of the exciting developments as they unfold. One thing we can definitely confirm is that you won't want to miss a minute of this!
EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has opened up about Peggy Mitchell's upcoming exit from the soap.
The exec producer, who was appearing alongside Lacey Turner on The One Show, said that celebrated writer Sarah Phelps is also returning to pen Barbara Windsor's final episode as Peggy.
Speaking about Peggy's departure, Treadwell-Collins said: "We haven't filmed [it] yet. The scripts are coming in, we've got Sarah Phelps [who] has come back to the show.
"She wrote The Casual Vacancy… she's coming back to write Barbara Windsor's last episode."
When asked how the show got Ross Kemp to return, Treadwell-Collins explained: "Well I think [with] Barbara leaving, he had no choice.
"I've had a lot of dinners with him trying to woo him to get him to come back, but he's so busy.
"And then finally, the stars have aligned… everyone at work's very excited about it."
He added: "It's gonna be epic. It's got to be epic… everyone's got such high expectations for it."
Phelps is returning to the show despite hitting out at EastEnders for the retconning of the famous "hello princess" line that she wrote on Dirty Den's return in 2003.
OH it's a hard life having to go out for dinner for work!Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
It's official - Daniella Westbrook is returning to EastEnders.
The actress will be back on Albert Square as Sam Mitchell after a six-year absence, it has been confirmed.
Recently coming fifth on Celebrity Big Brother, the 42-year-old will return to the show for Peggy Mitchell's funeral, which will see all the Mitchell siblings - Sam, Phil and Grant, played by Ross Kemp - reunite on screen.
Westbrook will only return for a few episodes, despite rumours that suggested she'd be staying on our screens in a more permanent role.
"I'm really excited to be going back to *EastEnders," the actress told Talk TV (via Daily Mirror).
"It feels right the Mitchells are all back for Peggy's funeral, and I can't wait to work alongside everyone again. "
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "It is only right that all of Peggy Mitchell's children would be at her funeral.
"Danniella is the final piece of the Mitchell jigsaw puzzle, so it will be great for viewers to see Phil, Grant and Sam all back on screen.
"Sam will only be back for a few episodes, but these scenes are bound to go down in the soap's history."
The Mitchell reunion comes as Barbara Windsor returned to the soap in January in a plot line which will see her beloved character Peggy killed off.
Digital Spy
So is this the biggest story of the year - Peggy's funeral? That'll be cheery.
The words scraping, bottom and barrel spring to mind.. :wall:Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
It seems like everyone is coming back to EastEnders to wave goodbye to Peggy Mitchell - even those who are already dead.
Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, who was often at odds with the soap's matriarch, is rumoured to be putting in an appearance for Barbara Windsor's final ever scenes.
According to The Mirror, Peggy will see her former frenemy in a hallucination.
An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: "We have lots of special treats in store for Peggy's final episodes but we are not going to confirm anything as we don't want to spoil the surprise for the viewers."
An insider added: "Bosses are keeping tight lipped about Peggy's final scenes. They are going to great lengths to pull out all of the stops for Barbara's final episodes. Both Barbara and Peggy are EastEnders icons so viewers can expect lots of surprises for Peggy's final episodes. They are not to be missed and will go down in EastEnders history."
Also returning for the big farewell will be the long-awaited appearance of Ross Kemp as Grant and Danniella Westbrook as Sam to reunite the Mitchell family for the heartbreaking storyline.
St Clement was on hand to support her ex-castmate as she became a dame earlier this week.
Dame Babs revealed yesterday she has begun filming her final episodes, with the soap tweeting a photo of her dressing room door.
Digital Spy
EE never let the death of a character get in the way of bringing them back.
About par for the course I would say. This is the programme who raised Den from the dead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzle
Danniella Westbrook has said that she hopes to be back on EastEnders as Sam Mitchell as a full-time character again after a six-year absence.
The actress opened up about her upcoming one-off return to the soap for Peggy Mitchell's funeral, and expressed her excitement at being reunited with the Mitchells.
"I'm super excited because I didn't think they'd ever want the Mitchells back together, for whatever the circumstances, for Peggy's funeral," Westbrook told Loose Women. "I can't wait."
"I'm glad we're all back together, and it's a great honour to be asked to go back to send Barbara [Windsor's] character off."
She said that she hopes new boss Sean O'Connor would consider her for a full-time role, following the departure of Dominic Treadwell-Collins.
"It's a one-off at the moment, because our boss Dominic is leaving and we've got a new boss stepping in.
"Hopefully the new boss will take me on the mantle as a full-time character. I'd like to go back."
Asked whether she felt like the appearance was like an audition, Westbrook replied: "Not at all. I'm very proud to be asked back to do this for Barbara.
"For me, that means the world to me. And to be there with the boys as well, and I just hope it's going to make fantastic television.
"There's been so much on Twitter and people are excited that we're all going to be back together."
It was revealed last month that Westbrook would be returning for Peggy's emotional send-off for a few episodes, reuniting with on-screen siblings Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp).
Barbara Windsor returned in January to the soap in a plot line which will see her character Peggy killed off.
Digital Spy
peggy will see pat again
Yes, as halucination ... I would have refused to return even for this scene if I was Pat St Clement after the way they treated her ...Quote:
Originally Posted by lizann
Yes, as halucination ... I would have refused to return even for this scene if I was Pat St Clement after the way they treated her ...Quote:
Originally Posted by lizann
There's different people running the show now I suppose. I doubt she holds being killed off against DTC since he wasn't there at the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
What a briilliant show EE is. They can bring dead people yet cannot get the supposedly alive 'Shelle back for family funeral.
Im sure if they wanted the 'National Treasure" back at sometime in the future some Chablis drinking luvvie would think of a reason.
http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...chells-return/
It's almost time for Dame Barbara Windsor's EastEnders swansong - so the timing is right for the first footage of Peggy Mitchell's dramatic return.
In a video urging fans to vote in the British Soap Awards, EastEnders gives viewers a surprise appearance from Albert Square's first lady.
Ronnie gets the shock of her life as Peggy pops in for a visit – but will it be a happy occasion?
Probably not as Peggy's final storyline will see her battling terminal breast cancer - sure to be gripping TV for EastEnders fans young and old.
Her health problems come as the Mitchells are in crisis, with Ronnie fending off two stalkers and Phil spiralling into a breakdown.
Maybe the return of Grant Mitchell can finally bring this feuding family back together?
Ever since it was announced that Peggy Mitchell would be bowing out of EastEnders forever (sob!), speculation has been rife over what else this could mean. With her final scenes fast approaching, here is what we know so far:
Why is Peggy leaving?
Having played Peggy intermittently for 22 years, Dame Barbara Windsor has decided that it is time to draw the curtain on her alter ego for good. When her exit was announced earlier this year, the iconic actress said that she felt she needed to let go of Peggy forever, otherwise she would always be drawn back to her.
"Everyone knows I love EastEnders and that will never change," she explained. "Peggy is a character close to my heart but I made the decision a while ago that I need to say goodbye to Peggy once and for all as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back and that is something I need to shut the door on."
How is she leaving?
In a surprise appearance earlier this year, Peggy told Phil that her cancer had come back and she was dying. Although the exact details surrounding her final scenes are being kept under wraps, she will definitely (and very sadly) be leaving Walford in a coffin this time.
Who's coming back and how long for?
When Peggy's exit was announced, the Mitchell rumour mill went into total overdrive. Would Grant finally be returning? Would Sam? And would she be played by Danniella Westbrook or Kim Medcalf?
We all wanted some answers and, sure enough, we got them. First up was the news we had been waiting for - Ross Kemp would be reprising his role as Grant for Peggy's final scenes. Ross might have had little choice in the matter ("Have you tried saying no to Dame Barbara?"), but the final piece of the jigsaw was the news that Sam would be coming back too. Sam's return was announced hot on the heels of Grant's and she will played by original actress Danniella.
Sadly, Danniella's return will only be fleeting as she is expected to return for Peggy's funeral episodes. "It feels right the Mitchells are all back for Peggy's funeral," she said. "I can't wait to work alongside everyone again." But the good news is that Grant is set to be back for a slightly longer stint.
What can we expect from Grant's return?
As Grant will be on screen for a decent amount of time, it is hard not to speculate on what he might get up to. He has unfinished business with his ex-lover Jane Beale, his ex-wife Sharon Mitchell and, most importantly, his brother Phil. Also, Grant has never shared any scenes with his feisty cousins Ronnie and Roxy and we are keen to find out what he thinks of his different-faced nephew Ben. Oh, and Ross is eager for a 'tear-up' with Danny Dyer as well...
Who will Peggy have scenes with?
While it is still early days, we already have some hints on who else Peggy could be sharing scenes with. Apart from the Mitchell clan, it looks like Peggy will definitely be appearing with both Linda Carter and Claudette Hubbard.
Kellie Bright tweeted: "Just had an epic day @bbceastenders filming with the remarkable Dame Barbara Windsor - what a lovely lady she is #Blessed #DreamComeTrue."
While Ellen Thomas also said via Twitter: "Just finished working with the great Barbara Windsor aka Peggy Mitchell. She is Awesome folks. A total sweetheart." Aw!
Will Peggy give Linda some landlady tips? Will she put Claudette in her place? The possibilities are endless and it's SO exciting!
Which producer is overseeing her exit?
It was a sad day when EastEnders announced that its executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins would be stepping down, but Peggy's exit will actually be the final story that the boss will oversee. Sean O'Connor will be taking over the show in the summer, but Dominic and Barbara have been plotting the story since last year, meaning that the emotional storyline will be both of their swansongs. And what a way to go out.
Are there any other rumours?
Many of the finer details surrounding the long-awaited Mitchell reunion are being kept under wraps. But that doesn't stop the rumour mill going a little bit crazy. And top of the list is Peggy's long-term friend Pat. True enough, there is a slight problem here in that Pat is dead. However, The Mirror has suggested that the earring-lover could come back in a hallucination of her dying pal's. Well, stranger things have happened.
Even stranger rumours (yep, really!) have suggested that Peggy could give her unwell son Phil a liver as part of her dying wish. Unsurprisingly this scenario seems very unlikely, notably due to the fact that Peggy has cancer and EastEnders has been working closely with the British Liver Trust to ensure an accurate portrayal of Phil's journey.
Will anyone else be returning?
That's it for now, but we all know that EastEnders has a penchant for unannounced returns and a habit of surprising us. So who knows?
When will it air?
It's a little too early to have a confirmed date, but EastEnders has said that all the Mitchell action will take place in 'late spring'. Both Babs and Ross are already back filming so ardent fans may be able to do the maths. We will keep you posted in the meantime…
What else do we know?
Viewers were recently given a glimpse of Peggy's return in a video urging fans to vote in the British Soap Awards. The footage saw Ronnie get a big shock when she opened the door to a fragile-looking Peggy, but how and why Walford's leading lady has turned up remains to be seen.
We also know that former EastEnders writer Sarah Phelps will be writing the last episodes. "Sarah has come back to the show", Dominic recently explained. "She wrote The Casual Vacancy; she's coming back to write Barbara Windsor's last episode."
And finally, EastEnders has promised that they will be pulling out all the stops, with lots of special treats and surprises. An insider said: "Bosses are keeping tight-lipped about Peggy's final scenes. They are going to great lengths to pull out all of the stops for Barbara's final episodes. Both Barbara and Peggy are EastEnders icons so viewers can expect lots of surprises for Peggy's final episodes. They are not to be missed and will go down in EastEnders history."
Digital Spy
Why has Phil not told anyone she is dying or has he forgot?
Well, he is still struggling with his drinking problem, don't forget. Alcoholics literally focus on only their drink and nothing else.Quote:
Originally Posted by tammyy2j
For me, the most interesting detail in the above spoiler is the fact that Claudette will be back.
thinking the building couple could be stalking ronnie for claudette