Anita Dobson thinks she is “too old” to go back to ‘EastEnders’.
The 74-year-old actress played Angie Watts in the BBC One soap opera from its very first episode in 1985 until 1988 and the Christmas Day episode in 1986 in which her husband Den Watts served her with divorce papers was watched by a record-breaking 30.1 million viewers but is not sure that she could ever see a comeback on the cards these days.
Speaking on ITV’s ‘Lorraine’, she told stand-in host Louise Minchin: “I knew when we were filming it that it was a great scene, the relationship was really good between us. I didn’t realise the impact that we would have on the public and to this day I’m thrilled. I love the fact that everybody took the Watts to their hearts. I don’t think I could [go back] at my old age, I’m too old now! Everybody nearly has gone!”
Meanwhile, Anita – who since her time on ‘EastEnders’ has gone on to have a long career in television but has also appeared in musicals such as ‘Wicked’ and ‘Annie’ – is starring in the upcoming Christmas special of ‘Doctor Who’ as Mrs Flood and claimed that the “secret” to the show’s long-running success is because it moves with the times.
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“I think the secret, from my point of view, is that it keeps changing. The fact that it keeps coming up with different ideas, different doctors, different situations. It is moving forward with the times and with the technology, I think that is what is keeping it going.”
Meanwhile, the former soap star is married to Queen rocker Sir Brian May, 76, and went on to explain that while she is usually working over the festive period, this year the pair of them have the chance to “shut the doors” and enjoy Christmas together on their own.
She said: “Usually, I’m working and doing pantomime. This year, because I was working quite late up to the wire I’m not so I’m enjoying the run up to Christmas. We’ve decided, Brian and I, that we’re going to just shut the doors and just be us. “
