Next month marks the 40th anniversary of EastEnders, and to celebrate the special birthday two soap legends will be returning to Albert Square in a special behind the scenes documentary. Hosted by Ross Kemp, who is best known as Walford bad boy Grant Mitchell, EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square will feature soap icons Pat St Clement and Anita Dobson. Pat, 82, played Pat Butcher on the soap from 1986 until 2012, while Anita, 75, appeared from the first episode in 1985 as Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts, and remained on the show until 1988.
The hour-long documentary will look at some of the most memorable storylines from 40 years of EastEnders, including ground-breaking ones such as the first kiss between two gay men, Mark Fowler’s HIV diagnosis, and the historical abuse storyline that centered around Kat Slater.
During the documentary, Anita Dobson will reunite with her onscreen daughter Sharon, as played by Letitia Dean, and other original cast members. Meanwhile, Gillian Taylforth and Adam Woodyatt will also share their memories of working on the series from the very beginning.
Presenter Ross Kemp, who has recently started filming his own return to Albert Square as Grant, said: “It was a privilege to be asked to present this documentary, celebrating 40 years of EastEnders. During the making of it I was constantly reminded of the impact EastEnders has, not only on the cast and everyone that works on the show, but also on the audience, as well as the effect it has had culturally in the United Kingdom.”.
