영국 드라마 '이스트엔더스' 30주년 Would you Adam and Eve it! As EastEnders celebrates its 30th birthday(VIDEO)
Would you Adam and Eve it! As EastEnders celebrates its 30th birthday, what ever happened to the soap's original stars?
- One of the nation's favourite soaps, EastEnders is celebrating its 30 years since it first hit ourscreens in 1985
- It's given us many unforgettable scenes such as Den Watts handing Angie divorce papers who then tried to end it
- And, three decades of scandalous story-lines later, many of Walford’s original stars are still household names
Though it feels as if it’s been part of the national fabric for ever, EastEnders — the soap derided by some as the Shouting Cockney Show — is only just about to celebrate its 30th birthday.
It’s given us many of TV’s most memorable scenes, including the jaw-dropping row when Den Watts served his wife with divorce papers on Christmas Day, 1986, which ended with booze-sodden, battered Angie swallowing fistfuls of tablets and washing them down with vodka.
More than 30 million viewers watched that episode, and many complained it had ruined their Christmas. Perhaps they were right: it started a tradition for massive storylines over the holiday season, leading to shockers such as the Emmerdale plane crash in 1993 and Matthew Crawley’s fatal car smash in Downton Abbey in 2012.
Scroll down for video
Three decades after EastEnders was first brought to our screens, and hundreds of scandalous story-lines later, many of Walford’s original stars (pictured) are still household names
But try as they might, no other drama can match EastEnders for its sheer ferocity. There have been so many murders in Albert Square that the UN should declare it a war-zone.
The show even opened with the discovery of a body, on February 19, 1985, and 30 years later all the characters are under suspicion for another killing — the death of Lucy Beale.
EastEnders always teeters on the brink of melodrama. Yet we take it seriously because it has never been afraid to tackle big issues such as racism and drug crime. But what it does best is building up a mystery until the country is in a lather of speculation.
In 1985, when 16-year-old Michelle Fowler refused to tell anyone who the father of her baby was, the game was given away when we glimpsed her lover’s car . . . it was Dirty Den Watts!
Then there was Sharongate, the 1994 Walford love triangle featuring Den’s daughter and the gangster brothers Phil and Grant Mitchell.
The moment Grant (Ross Kemp) discovered his wife was sleeping with his brother has been voted the best moment in British soap history.
Lucy Beale’s killer will be revealed live on February 19 — 30 years to the day since the first episode. And, three decades of scandalous story-lines later, many of Walford’s original stars are still household names . . .
1. Wendy Richard
(Pauline Fowler)
Sitcom veteran Wendy also appeared in Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army and a couple of Carry On films. Our favourite cheeky Cockney was actually born in Middlesbrough, in 1943. The matriarch of Albert Square, her 21 years on the show ended with an on-screen death in 2006. Wendy died from cancer in 2009, aged 65.
Then and now: Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler) pictured with her on-screen husband Arthur (Bill Treacher) in the first year of the soap, 1985 (left) and pictured in 2006 (right)
2. Anna Wing
(Lou Beale)
Lou was the most formidable character of the original cast, Pauline and Pete’s mother, and a no-nonsense Londoner. Anna, who was 70 when the show began, was also a mighty personality: in the Fifties she had been the lover of poet Philip O’Connor, with whom she had a son. She left the show in 1988, but kept working right up to her death, aged 98, in 2013.
Then and now: Anna Wing, who played Lou Beale, was one of the show's best-loved characters. She left the show in 1988, but kept working right up to her death, aged 98, in 2013
3. Linda Davidson
(Mary Smith)
Mary was one of the Square’s most controversial characters — a former punk rock groupie and drug user whose wild lifestyle put her baby’s life at risk. Barely literate, she couldn’t to look after her child without her neighbours’ help, and earned her living by prostitution. Actress Linda dated co-star Nejdet Salih and left the show in 1988; now aged 50, she gave up acting to work in internet design and today runs a social media agency.
Then and now: Linda Davidson as punk rock groupie Mary Smith in 1986 (left) and today (right) running a social media agency
4. Ross Davidson
(Andy O’Brien)
Ross was a PE teacher who played water polo for Scotland before acting. EastEnders was his first major part — he played the nurse who has an affair with the Vic landlady, Angie Watts. In his final scene, in August 1986, Andy rows with girlfriend Shirley: when she tells him to ‘drop dead’, he stomps out of the house and is flattened by a lorry . . . making him the first character to be killed off. Ross believed he was dropped because he was dating his co-star Shirley Cheriton. He died from cancer, aged 57, in 2006.
Then and now: Ross Davidson's character Andy O’Brien was the first character to be killed off. Ross believed he was dropped because he was dating his co-star Shirley Cheriton. He died from cancer, aged 57, in 2006.
5. Shirley Cheriton
(Debbie Wilkins)
Debbie was a professional middle-class woman whose East End property was an investment as well as a home. The working-class locals thought she was stuck-up and pretentious. Actress Shirley, who left EastEnders in 1987, was a favourite of series creator Julia Smith, who had also cast her in the hospital drama Angels. Now 59, she hasn’t appeared on TV since 2009.
Then and now: Actress Shirley Cheriton, who left EastEnders in 1987, left with Ross Davison, was a favourite of series creator Julia Smith, who had also cast her in the hospital drama Angels. Now 59, she hasn’t appeared on TV since 2009.
6. Bill Treacher
(Arthur Fowler)
The gruelling pace of filming EastEnders left stage actor Bill exhausted. Arthur saw his daughter pregnant at 16, his son infected with HIV and himself having a breakdown. Bill left in 1996 (‘by the time I finished, even the theme music was making me feel ill’). He later appeared in films including George And the Dragon in 2004. Now 84, he is retired.
Then and now: Bill Treacher, playing Arthur Fowler, was one of the show's longest-serving stars. He was later in The Bill and is now retired
7. Susan Tully
(Michelle Fowler)
Susan, now 46, grew up on a North London council estate and started acting through a community theatre school. Before EastEnders, she was familiar to viewers from the children’s series Grange Hill. She’s now a TV director, whose credits include Lark Rise To Candleford. She played Michelle until 1995, and the character was credited with saving EastEnders — viewing figures had slumped to seven million before the storyline of her secret pregnancy, aged 16, hooked the nation.
Then and now: Susan Tully, who started her career on Grange Hill, starred as Michelle Fowler untill 1996. She is now a director, whose credits include Lark Rise To Candleford
8. Letitia Dean
(Sharon Watts)
A graduate of the Sylvia Young theatre school and another Grange Hill old girl, Letitia was born in Hertfordshire, but claimed at her audition she was a Cockney. Her dirty laugh apparently won her the part of Den and Angie’s daughter. She left for the first time in 1995, and has returned to Albert Square several times — and is still on the show today. Now 47, Letitia has also competed on Strictly Come Dancing.
Then and now: Leitia Dean as Sharon with onscreen husband Grant (Ross Kemp) in 1994 (left) and Dean filming scenes for Lucy Beale's funeral last year (right)
9. Gretchen Franklin
(Ethel Skinner)
Born in 1911 into a showbusiness family, Gretchen was a dancer in Soho in the Twenties, a member of the tap troupe Four Brilliant Blondes and was also in Crossroads. As Ethel, she was the crony of Lou Beale and Dot Cotton, always to be found with a sherry and ‘my little Willy’, her beloved pug. She left EastEnders in 2000 and died in 2005, aged 94.
Gretchen Franklin in 1987 with Willy the pug (left) from Eastenders and pictured in 2005 shortly before her death (right)
10. Willy the pug
Willy was spoilt, greedy and mischievous. The other characters couldn’t stand him: the local doctor complained bitterly about the mess Willy made on the pavements, and owner Ethel had to decline two marriage proposals when her suitors asked her to get rid of her precious pet. Willy was put down in 1992; two weeks later, the dog who had played him also died.
11. Roly the standard poodle
Landlords Den and Angie Watts never took much notice of daughter Sharon, but they poured their hearts out to their pooch. Whenever Den was in a rage, he’d grab Roly’s lead and drag the poor animal round the Square. Roly was nearly killed when Grant Mitchell set fire to the Vic for the insurance money, and died on screen when he was run over while chasing a cat in 1993. Roly’s real-life owner was EastEnders creator Julia Smith. He died in real life in 1995.
Then: Willy was put down in 1992; two weeks later, the dog who had played him also died. Roly died on screen when he was run over while chasing a cat in 1993. Roly’s real-life owner was EastEnders creator Julia Smith. He died in real life in 1995.
12. Leslie Grantham
(Dirty Den Watts)
Dirty Den was the original villain of Albert Square, a bully who shoved his wife around and got his 16-year-old daughter’s best mate pregnant. TV had never had such a hated character — and the actor who played him, Grantham, actually murdered a taxi driver in a 1966 robbery. During his ten-year prison sentence, he took up acting. His character Den was seemingly killed in 1989, but he returned from the dead in 2003. The renaissance didn’t last long: Grantham, who is now 67, was caught in a sex scandal in 2004 — and Dirty Den was killed off for a second time shortly afterwards.
Then and now: Controversial character Dirty Den Watts (played by Leslie Grantham) with on-screen wife Angie (Anita Dobson) (left) and a brooding Den in 2004 (right)
13. Anita Dobson
(Angie Watts)
A real EastEnder, Anita wasn’t the first choice to play the Queen Vic landlady — when filming began, the role was taken by Jean Fennell. Jean was deemed ‘too classy’ and was replaced. In 1986, Anita had a No 4 hit with Anyone Can Fall In Love in 1986, produced by Queen guitarist Brian May — whom she married. Angie left EastEnders after three years. Anita, 65, has been on Strictly and will play Elizabeth I in an upcoming documentary.
Then and now: Anita Dobson was in the the soap for three years but was involved in many of its most memorable storylines. Married to Brian May, she is still acting
14. Tom Watt
(Lofty Holloway)
Lofty, the Vic’s barman, was hopelessly in love with Michelle, and married her after she became a single mum . . . though she dumped him at the altar during the first ceremony. Watt left the show in 1988 to become a social worker. Now 58, he is a radio sports reporter and the ghostwriter of David Beckham’s autobiography.
Then and now: Tom Watt as Lofty in the soap with Susan Tully who played Michelle Fowler (left) and now, a radio sports reporter, appearing on This Morning (right)
15. Leonard Fenton
(Dr Harold Legg)
This East End grammar school boy, the son of Jewish refugees from the Baltic states, was an Army engineer in World War II. During a 50-year career in acting, he appeared in Z-Cars, Colditz and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. For 12 years, Fenton was Albert Square’s caring but irascible doctor. In 2004, Leonard made his debut as a theatre director. His character has returned to EastEnders three times over the years and, although Fenton is now 88, the doctor may yet be seen in the Square again.
Then and now: East End grammar school boy Leonard Fenton played Dr Harold Legg, who treated the main characters and is still acting at 88 and may appear again on the Square despite his age
16. Andrew Johnson
(Saeed Jeffery)
Saeed owned a convenience store called First Til Last and was unhappily married to Naima (Shreela Ghosh), who refused to sleep with him. He started using prostitutes and making obscene phone calls to women. When he was found out, Saeed left the Square in shame in December 1985. Like his character, Andrew, 59, is from a mixed-race background, and reportedly was unhappy at the negative storylines foisted on Saeed. He moved to Hollywood and still works as an actor, in minor parts.
17. John Altman
(Nasty Nick Cotton)
Heroin addict, racist, conman, killer and thief, Nasty Nick set the tone in the very first episode of EastEnders when he murdered the Square’s oldest resident for drug money. He killed again and very nearly poisoned his ‘dear old ma’, Dot. Written in at the last minute, Nick was never intended to be a lasting character, but is now in his sixth stint on the show and will play a significant part in the 30th anniversary episode. In real life, Altman, 62, struggled with a drink problem in the Nineties.
Then and now: John Altman has played bad boy Nasty Nick Cotton on and off for 30 years and is in his sixth spell in the soap
18. June Brown
(Dot Cotton)
Bafta-nominated for her work as kind-hearted busybody Dot, 87-year-old June Brown’s career started at the Old Vic theatre school. She became the oldest dancer to take part in Strictly, in 2010, and appeared in West End hit Calendar Girls. The mother of six is the only EastEnders actress to have an entire episode to herself: in 2008 she performed a half-hour monologue, talking about her life as she recorded a tape for her husband, Jim Branning, who had suffered a stroke. That same year she was awarded an MBE. Dot Branning (nee Colwell, previously Cotton) is still a Walford stalwart.
Then and now: Eastenders institution and Bafta-nominated June Brown is still playing Dot Cotton after many years in the soap
19. Paul J. Medford
(Kelvin Carpenter)
Currently starring in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Paul is a West End veteran. As Kelvin, he was the entrepreneur of Albert Square, who fell for an older woman and was humiliated when she publicly dumped him. With Sharon and a group of friends, he set up a band, the Banned, but after some embarrassing gigs, Kelvin was forced to admit they were rubbish . . . but in real life their song Something Outa Nothing, credited to Letitia Dean and Paul Medford, reached No 12 in the UK charts. Kelvin, now 48, left Walford in 1987 to do a degree in computer studies.
Then and now: Paul Medford played Kelvin Carpenter in the soap, and launched a pop career with co-star Letitia Dean. He became a West End veteran and and is in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
20. Oscar James
(Tony Carpenter)
Tony was Kelvin’s father, an easy-going builder with a nagging wife. While he was working at the Vic as an odd-job man, Tony became Angie’s lover: he thought it was a serious relationship, but she was only using him to get back at Den. After two years, including a stint as a minicab driver, Tony left to live in Trinidad. Oscar, 72, went on to perform Shakespeare.
Then and now: Oscar James, who played Tony Carpenter, was an odd-job man who became Angie's lover but left the soap after two years. The 72-year-old, who appeared on children's television, recently appeared in a Shakespeare production
21. Sandy Ratcliff
(Sue Osman)
Sue was at the centre of the most bleak storyline British soaps had ever seen when her baby died from cot death syndrome in June 1985. When she and husband Ali finally had another child, their marriage broke up; Sue had a breakdown and was sectioned. After leaving the show in 1989, actress Sandy, 64, slipped into heroin addiction; she later retrained as a counsellor. One of her last public appearances was at the Old Bailey trial of her then boyfriend, Michael Shorey, who was found guilty of murdering two women.
22. Nejdet Salih
(Ali Osman)
Born a Cypriot Turk, Ali was married to Sue and ran the Bridge Street Cafe with her. He was a gambling addict and held nightly poker schools in the cafe after closing. He left Walford in 1989, after losing all his money at cards. The 56-year-old actor changed his name to Nej Adamson, and appeared in the final Carry On film in 1992, as well as playing a brigand in two Pirates Of The Caribbean movies.
Then and now: Ali Osman, played by Nejdet Salih, was Albert Square's gambling addict who left after losing all his money in a card game. Mr Salih went on to build a successful film career
23. Gillian Taylforth
(Kathy Beale)
The biggest real-life scandal to hit the EastEnders cast exploded when a traffic cop approached a car parked off the A1 and found a couple engaged in a sexual act. Gillian, 59, insisted she was only giving her fiance, Geoff Knights, a tummy rub to soothe his stomach ache, and she sued The Sun newspaper for suggesting otherwise. The court didn’t believe her. During the early years of EastEnders, Gillian dated her co-star Nick Berry, who played her stepson. Her character, Kathy, was raped early in the show’s history, sparking a major TV controversy. Taylforth left the show in 1998, but returned three times. She was in soap Hollyoaks until this January.
Then and now: Gillian Taylforth, left as Kathy Beale during the trial of James Willmott-Brown, who was accused of raping her, and right during a recent stint in Hollyoaks
24. Adam Woodyatt
(Ian Beale)
The only member of the cast who has appeared on the show without a break for 30 years. Ian has been married five times, and is currently engaged to Jane, one of his ex-wives. One of his biggest storylines saw him shot by a hitman hired by another wife, Cindy. In 2012, Ian had a breakdown and ended up living at a homeless hostel. Adam, 46, won the Lifetime Achievement trophy at the British Soap Awards in 2013, after nearly 3,000 appearances on the show.
Then and now: A very youthful looking Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale in 1989 with Cindy (Michelle Collins) left and at the British Comedy Awards 2014 (right)
25. Nick Berry
(Simon Wicks)
Nick wasn’t in the first few episodes, but was drafted in after another actor left unexpectedly, having refused to play a scene where his character used racist language. Nick’s character, Wicksy, proved almost too popular — he was an instant pin-up and in 1986 Nick enjoyed a No 1 with his song Every Loser Wins. After five years on EastEnders, Nick, 51, went on to star in nostalgic police series Heartbeat, and now runs a production firm called Valentine.
Then and now: Nick Berry joined the show early on as SImon Wicks and it launched him to superstardom. He had a successful pop career, was the main character on Heartbeat and now runs a production company
26. Peter Dean
(Pete Beale)
The affable fruit and veg trader. He was Pauline’s twin, and a childhood mate of Dirty Den. In real life, Peter Dean’s family ran a stall in Petticoat Lane, and he attracted customers by bellowing out quotes from Shakespeare. Actress Prunella Scales heard him, and urged him to go to drama college. Pete Beale was killed off in a car crash in 1993. After converting to Buddhism, Peter swore off alcohol. Aged 75, he enjoys racing greyhounds and is still an actor.
Then and now: Fruit and veg trader Pete Beale, played by Peter Dean, was killed off in 1993
dailymail
edited by kcontents
"from past to future"
데일리건설뉴스 construction news
콘페이퍼 conpaper
.
