Y&RWorldTurner

Yes, that's Derek Branning. The Branning invasion is a bit annoying, especially in Simon Ashdown's episodes where he shoehorns them into everything. Sharon is back in early August.

The past few episodes have been great with Janine's wedding, Diane back (even they she felt like an extra at the actual wedding), and Janine giving birth prematurely. Basically, Janine's been carrying huge parts of the over the last year or so. Joey Branning is clearly the newest in a line of Dennis Rickman knockoffs, and he even looks a bit like Nigel Harman. One article just pimped Lucy and Joey as the new Sharon and Grant...

Anyone else would have been really, how Peter Dean ever got cast is beyond me. By far the weakest of the original core cast of characters. And he wasn't liked on-set or by various producers either...

Gillian Taylforth originally auditioned for Sue Osman on EastEnders, but Julia Smith and Tony Holland thought she would be a better fit for Kathy Beale. And of course, Leslie Grantham originally auditioned for Pete Beale.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OS9iAGLpU1E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Why did the BBC commission this? <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gAfknFpWbng" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You mean Letitia's first "I'm outta here to do panto" exit? A few months later, Grant was begging her to take him back...

Here's something nice.... The EastEnders and Corrie themes will be used for this summer's opening ceremony at the London Olympics.... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a387937/sex-pistols-eastenders-theme-in-leaked-olympics-opener-playlist.html

The trailer for Janine's wedding: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TcU7RO_pDsQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I always wondered why Stacey and Dennis had the relationship that Sean and Stacey should have had, but never really did.... 4:03 in: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3_rKnoJ8M10" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JrYXMTJQP9g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/255917/EastEnders-Sharon-Rickman-has-a-torrid-return-to-Albert-Square/ A little more on Sharon's return. I wonder if this female friend is staying on the show with her, or if she'll be a longterm character. Jessie Birdsall is playing the jilted groom Sharon dumps on their wedding day.

I think Ronnie is a dead character with nowhere left to go. Samantha Womack seems so happy to be off the show in interviews. You can tell she prefers doing musicals and comedy. It will be interesting to see how Sharon and Roxy interact, considering that both Ronnie and Roxy were initially poor imitations of certain aspect of Sharon's character.

I've seen those comments from a rabid Phil and Shirley on digitalspy fan who is depressed by Sharon returning. As if Phil ever cared about Shirley in the first place.

I don't understand the point of Kat's story, especially if her mystery man is a Branning. Like Kat or one of the Branning needs another affair storyline. If this story were to work, I would hope they would use it as a mechanism to split Kat and Alfie up for good, or even just for an extended period. I'm not too annoyed with Phil being involved, as he's the character Sharon shares the most history with on the show at the moment. He was always going to be involved in her return one way or another. I do think Sharon was one of the few people Phil ever genuinely loved and cared about.

More pictures/details on Sharon's return story, as well as a pic of the little boy playing Dennis, Jr. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2156204/SPOILER-ALERT-Letitia-Dean-returns-EastEnders-Sharon-Watts-calls-old-flame-Phil-Mitchell-help.html I wonder if Sharon's been living in England for a while again and no one knew, but it would be strange that Ian never mentioned it, since they've apparently been in contact.

Some details on Sharon's return, which is apparently happening on-screen in late August per this article. http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/letitia-dean-returns-to-eastenders-with-dramatic-867155

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-wNTTOCWppA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Masood's brother has been cast: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a384798/eastenders-casts-masoods-brother-aj.html

Thanks! So, I guess BARB started tracking ratings in the UK from 1981 onwards, that's nice to know. I've long considered paying for an online account with them (for research/pop cultural nostalgia). Besides Corrie, did other continuing dramas/soaps rank high throughout the 60's and 70's, or was EastEnders really the first threat to Corrie's dominance?

Thanks, I wish there was a comprehensive archive for UK television ratings. A lot doesn't seem to exist (online at least) before the late 90's.

Kat has her 2003 hairstyle there.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Ihmemd7h94" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I believe the episode they submitted was the episode that focused only on Carla's offensive rape.

Corrie won the BAFTA this year...

This story wouldn't have worked with Charlie Jones at all. Joshua really came into his own with this story, but it does make sense that he's leaving after it. What else were they going to do with him other than constantly try to hide that he murdered Heather? I wish we'd get some details on Sharon's return already. I always thought it would somehow tie into this story, and I guess there's still time. It's just weird that we haven't heard anything other than she'll be back in the summer.