Oh, that's awful news. Some of my early memories of the show from PBS involve the Peggy cancer story which just got me in the heart. She was always one of a kind.

Anyone who has ever watch Eastenders knows who Ms. Windsor is. So sorry to hear about this. It seems that she has the love and support she will need to deal with this awful disease. She and her husband have been together since at least 2000?? That sounds like a truly committed relationship.

I can imagine that last stint was very hard for her - she wasn't just saying goodbye to Peggy and EE, she probably also realized she was saying goodbye to other aspects of her life in general at the same time. She's always been a class act and always respected the fans of the show. 

Who is Scott Mitchell? Barbara Windsor’s husband who revealed the EastEnders star’s Alzheimer’s

Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den) has died at 71.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/15/leslie-grantham-obituary?CMP=fb_gu

He was a magnetic force even in his sadly truncated return. I loved what they were doing with Den Sr., Dennis and Sharon at that time, pushing them and phasing out Phil. It's sad how his life ended up, apparently several suicide attempts.

 

I'd forgotten Louise Jameson from Doctor Who was one of the first to urge him to get into acting when she was visiting prisons and he was still serving time.

 

 

"He created one of the most watched and iconic pieces of British Television, over 30 million people watched as Den handed over divorce papers to Angie." 2/3

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) June 15, 2018

"He had a wicked and self-deprecating sense of humour and I have many fond memories not just from working with him on EastEnders but from playing against him on the Cricket field. My thoughts are with his family and friends.” 3/3

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) June 15, 2018

"He was a wonderful and special actor, witty and very talented. I shall remember him very fondly and with affection." 2/2

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) June 15, 2018

RIP Mr Grantham.... No mean feat to get 30 million watching you on Xmas day, an EastEnders icon. X

— Dean Gaffney (@deangaffney1) June 15, 2018

"Those iconic Christmas episodes were legendary and they will always be part of EastEnders history. My heart goes out to his loved ones." 2/2

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) June 15, 2018

A statement from John Yorke, Executive Consultant on the passing of Leslie Grantham: "Everyone at EastEnders is deeply saddened to hear that Leslie has passed away. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) June 15, 2018

Really sorry to hear about Leslie Grantham. A very very good actor and one who created an iconic character with Dirty Den #RIPLeslieG

— Tracy Ann Oberman (@TracyAnnO) June 15, 2018

Leslie was clever, funny, charming, rude and I loved writing him because when you gave him a script, he really went for it with such relish. https://t.co/GgVyHYYexIhttps://t.co/193cJQ1ZX0

— Sarah Phelps (@PhelpsieSarah) June 15, 2018

And just as Leslie went for the big soap moments, he also went for the tiny bombs of Den's melancholy, grief, the fury of diminishing powers, regret at the terrible mistakes he'd made but hard-wired to repeat them because if everything was fucked, then keep [!@#$%^&*] it up, right?

— Sarah Phelps (@PhelpsieSarah) June 15, 2018

-and that's Shakespearean, that's Greek & I'll fight anyone in the street about it. Den is an epic, iconic character & Leslie created him.There's only a handful of people who can say that. So. Go well across the river, Leslie. Rest in Peace.

— Sarah Phelps (@PhelpsieSarah) June 15, 2018

"He never failed to make me laugh and I will remember him with love, affection and gratitude forever. See you up there Leslie! Thank you for everything. Love and respect always, Tish. X" 2/2

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) June 15, 2018

Edited June 15, 20187 yr by Vee

Thank you for posting all these. Sarah Phelps' statement was beautiful. 

 

Den is one of the most iconic characters ever in British soap, and Leslie one of the most underrated actors. That era - his first era - has held up so strongly, and he is a big reason why. EE has tried, and failed, to recapture it ever since.

Edited June 16, 20187 yr by DRW50

I don't think you can ever underestimate the impact Leslie and Den had on this show (and British soaps overall).

 

His second stint may not have worked and Den may have went out as a nasty old man, but Leslie was always 100% committed as an actor. RIP

EE is airing a re-run from the beginning on UK channel Drama. Can't wait!!!! Starts 6th August at 12pm.

Don't even know why I go on the DS forums. Its users are dumb as hell. EE has been appalling recently. I really hope it improves soon.

Edited July 7, 20187 yr by Edward Skylover

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6839858/kate-oates-heading-to-walford/

 

Nothing even close to being confirmed, but it seems it was more than just wishful thinking by the DS forum crowd.

19 hours ago, UK LAW said:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6839858/kate-oates-heading-to-walford/

 

Nothing even close to being confirmed, but it seems it was more than just wishful thinking by the DS forum crowd.

 

They have my sympathy. Ok, in all fairness she did some good things at Emmerdale, but she ultimately left the show in a bad state.

I've seen people on another board saying they should just kill off Dot as she's off the show most of the time. How insensitive and wrong and offensive that would be.

I liked the Slater's Hour at first as it brought some light-hearted drama onto the show but now it's redundant. A little bit of Jean goes a long way. Kat feels like a background character and I can already see her quitting soon.

I don't know why they keep killing off their young characters, and those who stay are hardly ever properly used. Bex was one of the best parts of those dull SOC days but since the bullying storyline finished she has been given nothing. EE just isn't building its future self it seems. It's not going to be Halfway and Whitney. Stuart is a creep and I guess they want us to think he's to be Zsa Zsa's father?

I really hope Kates Oates takes over EE.

On 26/07/2018 at 11:52 AM, Edward Skylover said:

I really hope Kates Oates takes over EE.

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a863452/eastenders-casualty-holby-city-new-producer-kate-oates/

 

Reality is often more bizarre than fiction. 

And she’ll be overseeing Casualty and Holby City, too 😳

If I’m right, I believe this also makes her the first producer to get the ‘top job’ on the traditionally BIG 3 soaps (of the past 30 years) Of Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Edited August 8, 20187 yr by UK LAW