victoria foxton

LEGENDERS Two of EastEnders’ most iconic characters, Lofty and Mary the Punk, are set to return to Albert Square after 30 years The roles will be reprised by Tom Watt and Linda Davidson for a storyline next year EXCLUSIVE By Andy Halls, TV Editor 11th December 2018, 10:00 pm Updated: 11th December 2018, 11:41 pm CLASSIC EastEnders duo Lofty and Mary The Punk are to return to Albert Square after 30 years. Tom Watt and Linda Davidson will reprise their roles for a storyline next year that will see another of the soap’s original characters killed off. 5 Tom Watt and Linda Davidson will be back next year to reprise their roles The pair will be back in Walford after the death of Dr Harold Legg, played by Leonard Fenton, 92. Mary and Lofty were two of the show’s 26 characters when it launched in 1985 — appearing in episodes three and five respectively. But neither have been seen in Walford since their final appearances in 1988. Tom, 62, and Linda, 54, are now expected on set at the show’s Elstree Studios, in Hertfordshire, in the coming days. 5 George 'Lofty' Holloway was the barman at The Queen Vic pub A formal announcement from the BBC about their comeback will then follow. The pair were seen together in 2015 at celebrations for the 30th anniversary of EastEnders. A soap source told The Sun: “Lofty and Mary The Punk are two of the most memorable characters of the original set of stars. “It’s staggering to think it’s been more than 30 years since they were last on the Square but soap fans will be delighted to hear of their comeback. 5 Mary was one of the soap's most controversial characters at the time “Regular viewers will know Dr Legg’s health is bad and it’s thought his death will play out in February next year, and these two will be back around the time of his funeral.” Mary was seen as one of EastEnders’ most controversial characters at its launch — a former punk rock groupie and drug user whose wild lifestyle put her baby at risk. Barely able to write, she couldn’t look after her child without her neighbours’ help and earned her living as a prostitute. Actress Linda, who was born in Canada, dated co-star Nejdet Salih, who played cafe owner and minicab driver Ali Osman. REX FEATURES 5 Linda gave up acting work and now runs a social media agency She later gave up acting to work in web design and now runs a social media agency. And George “Lofty” Holloway — the barman at The Queen Vic pub — was hopelessly in love with Michelle Fowler, who also returned last year played by Jenna Russellrather than original actress Susan Tully. Michelle dumped him at the altar at their first wedding, but they later married after she had Dirty Den’s illegitimate child, Vicki. Lofty left the soap after their relationship broke down to become a social worker. In real life, aside from a few small roles, actor Tom moved into sports journalism and regularly appears on radio. Tom has been busy with sports journalism, including ghostwriting David Beckham's autobiography

bandstandsmike's channel has been uploading a lot of 1984-88. A lot of it features Roxie.

I love the care put into them. I would love to see bio's on other soap characters too. Congrats on the approval of your research paper.

I always found Richard rather blah and stuffy. But no matter the character. Spauldingfield bio's are always great to watch.

Her name was Penelope. She appeared in flasbacks in 1984. During the Susan Piper story. Penelope killed Sharina's brother Conrad.

Darcy returns

It sure looks like her.

Interesting Roxie looks like she was already starting to lose it. Roxie singing Lullaby and Goodnight to herself. As Johnny was going to commit suicide, flying the plane was eerie. I'm not a fan of Roxie & Johnny. But Johnny's throat cancer had more depth than the Valere nonsense. I like Jeva being apart. Reva involved with Alan. While Josh was with Sonni. The fiery passion Pam Long wrote GL was in full effect in the Oct episodes.

Cool! I'm part Spaniard on my grandmother side. Glad you discovered the show yrs later. I started watching in the summer of 86.

GL's 50th anniversary was so lackluster A big anniversary was handled in a rather blase way. Instead of a big lavish celebration. With returning favorites. We get Lacey Bauer🙄 Meave & Fletcher had chemistry. But Meave was beyond bland. Anderson/Manetta's Jeva's was awful. The scene with all the scandals the Springfield Journal covered was all too brief.

Tom Carroll made his first appearances on the Jan 21 1977 (11-21-18) episode. But he was not played by Johnathan Frakes.

MD's Alex was a buffoonish characture .

Thanks for all the info. I only started watching GL in 1990. I can't wait to see the beginning of PL second run.

The Paul Valere murder mystery is a real chore to watch. I do like the chemistry between Mindy & Rusty. Johnny & Roxie were blah. As were Chelsea & Phillip. Alex & HB was such a strange and random pairing. But i don't mind them. I do like Sarah and Rusty. Christine Valere was a dud. The actress that played Christine was really good on ATWT. Wasn't her fault that her GL role was LAME. I really liked Sheri Anderson on Days. But her GL was SO MEDIOCRE and GENERIC. Lujack & Beth played out the same story. But were way more interesting than Roxie & Johnny. I like the original Dinah. But the writers didn't seem to know what to do with her. 1986 wasn't great. But i feel that first half of 1987 was even worse.

Did Neil switching Evan's sperm with his happened in 1981? I always assumed Neil's sperm switch was a retcon. Done in 1991.

1986 was a hot mess. But watching Alex & India throwing each other shade is highly entertaining.