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EastEnders 30th Anniversary episode

Aussie EastEnders fans get to see the 30th Anniversary special tonight, including the return of a series favourite.

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‘Tis the season for soap anniversaries and today UKTV screens the 30th Anniversary special for EastEnders.

30 years to the day EastEnders was first broadcast, one of the show’s true icons, Kathy Beale returned to the show in a Live to air scene in the UK.

This one hour episode will screen in Australia tonight on UKTV, followed by a flashback episode.

Last seen in 2000 before returning to South Africa, viewers believed that Kathy was killed in a car crash. However when Kathy comes home to Walford later this year, viewers will learn where Kathy has been and why she has stayed away so long…

Played by Gillian Taylforth, Kathy appeared in the very first episode of EastEnders on the 19th February 1985. As one of the original cast, Gillian soon found herself at the heart of some of the soaps most memorable episodes, creating a character that has never been forgotten in EastEnders history. Storylines included her relationship and subsequent turbulent marriage to Phil Mitchell and the rape of Kathy by Wilmott Brown.

Kathy’s return has been shrouded in secrecy. To keep her return under wraps the scenes were shot live on location to prevent her being seen prior to her episode transmitting.

Talking about her return to EastEnders, Gillian said “When Dominic approached me with his plan, I was so shocked I got into my car and burst into tears! ‘Kathy’ has always been so close to my heart and it’s absolutely wonderful to be returning to the show and reprising the role”

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer said “I have always made my feelings on Kathy Beale and Gillian Taylforth very clear – she is part of EastEnders history, mother to Ian and Ben and one of the most important and iconic television characters on British television. Six months ago, we set ourselves the challenge of bringing Kathy back to the Square in a credible way. And I believe we have succeeded. Viewers will have to keep watching to find out exactly why Kathy ‘died’, where she has been all these years and why she now wants to come home to Albert Square. This is only the beginning of one of the most earth-shattering storylines EastEnders has ever seen…”

Adam Woodyatt who plays Gillian’s on screen son adds “I’m thrilled, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve finally got my mum back! I’ve been keeping this secret for so long and now I just can’t wait to work with her again.”

Wednesday March 4 at 6.15pm: EastEnders
Wednesday March 4 at 7.25pm: Flashback episode

7 Responses

  1. Luckily I avoided a lot of Internet for 2 weeks as the build up to the live week has been very exciting. This was a massive spoiler and glad I avoided it. Uktv Facebook page did not have this news until after the Ep aired as it was one of those jaw dropping OMG moments like when bobby appeared in the shower in Dallas . I’ve loved this whole week of Eastenders its been amazing . Huge congrats to all the cast

  2. The character has been “dead” for a long time, so this was a major spoiler. I had accidenly spotted her name on a uk website, so I had guessed from last nights ep, what may be coming.

  3. A couple of points. The info was supplied by UKTV so clearly they didn’t deem it a Spoiler.

    More broadly speaking, this is an entertainment news website. Cast coming and going on shows is casting news and reported as such. A character’s storyline and how they enter / exit is Spoiler. Nothing in this story indicates how she returns or the detail of what unfolds, but I will pass your complaints on to UKTV.

    1. Thanks for following up with UKTV.
      These lines should have flagged something to Publicity as they were typing (or copying) it before they sent it out:
      “Kathy’s return has been shrouded in secrecy. To keep her return under wraps the scenes were shot live on location to prevent her being seen prior to her episode transmitting.”
      And:
      “I’ve been keeping this secret for so long and now I just can’t wait to work with her again.”

  4. Thanks for the spoiler on the biggest episode in thirty years of EastEnders! I have avoided all UK websites for two weeks now, and then it’s spoiled by an Australian one.

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