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Original Eastenders Cast


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Old 25-01-2005, 11:55
sydneyfan
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With EE approaching its 20th birthday it is almost as old now as Corrie was when EE began. In 1985 Corrie was about to celebrate 25 years and many predicted that this would be its final year.
Given that many EE viewers are younger than the show (makes me feel old) I thought they might appreciate a brief look at the original cast and what became of these characters. Many will not be known to younger viewer so here goes:
Fowlers: Lou Beale- widow of Albert. Died 1988. Later revealed that she had a daughter living in Ireland with her own family.
Arthur- died 1996. We never saw any of his family. Don’t think they were ever mentioned.
Pauline- pregnant with Martin.
Mark- originally played by David Scarborough until 1987. David took his own life. Todd Carthy took over in 1990. Mark married three times. Died 2004.
Michelle- got pregnant by Den and had Vicky. Married Lofty- aborted their child. Had Grants child and went to live in America in 1995. Has since remarried and could have another child?

Next door to Fowlers: Andy O Brien and Debs. Andy was nurse from Scotland and Debs was from posh background. Andy was run over in 1986 while saving a child. Childs mother played by actress who played Tiffany’s mother-death obviously follows her.
Debs married pc Rich in 1987 and moved away. It was mentioned that xmas by Pauline that she had received card from her and she was expecting child but thats the last we heard.

The B and B side of the square did not exist until 1986 and the only house we initially saw on Dots side was the Slater house. It was divided into bedsits then. Reg Cox lived upstairs and died in episode 1. Punk Mary and daughter Annie moved in. Her father tracked her down soon after. Mary ran off in 1988 and never heard of again.
Ali Sue and baby Hassan lived downstairs. Hassan died soon after. It was mentioned that Ali had family in area and later in 1985 his brother and sister in law and their kids appeared. All of them left in 1989 and never heard of again.


Tony Carpenter lived in house next to surgery. His son Kelvin moved soon after. Wife Hannah and daughter Cassie appeared later that year. Hannah and Cassie left in 87 and Tony left soon after to go live in Jamaica. Kelvin left for university later that year. None of them ever seen of again but Sharon and Ian sometimes mention Kelvin when they talk about old days.

Doctor Legg had surgery. Not sure when he left permanent cast but he re-appears occasionally. Most recently for Marks funeral.
Ethel lived upstairs. Again she left permanent cast and re-appeared until her death in 2000.
Lofty lived in top floor flat. Left in 1988. Mentioned soon after that he had gone to work in childrens home but never heard of again.

Shop owners Saeed and Naima lived in flat next to Vic. Saeed was first of original cast to leave in xmas 85 and Naima married and moved to Bangladesh in 87. Never heard of again.

Vic: Den, Angie and Sharon. We all know what happened there. Mentioned that Den had mistress Jan and she arrived the next year.

Pete, Kathy and Ian lived off the square. Pete died in 93, Kathy left in 98 but came back twice. It was mentioned from the start that Pete had been married before to Pat and they had 2 sons. Simon arrived late 85, Pat came in 86 and David didn’t come until 94. Later we learned that Kathy had daughter Donna who appeared in 87 and died in 89.

Nick Cotton: on and off until 2001. Dot mentioned from the start but didn’t arrive until a few months later so June Brown cannot be considered as an original cast member.
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Old 25-01-2005, 12:32
WalfordWill
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Ahh thanks for that, the original cast were brilliant, very diverse from that of Corrie back in the day. Its mad that I remember all of them characters even though I would have been only 2 an a half when it started originally lol
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Old 25-01-2005, 12:40
TheSarge
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Donna Ludlow really was a tragic woman wasn't she, that’s one of Kathy’s only down falls - her inability to accept her daughter as a human being as apposed to being the result of a rape.

Before Sue had her mental breakdown her and Ali did have a second child (son: Little Ali), just thought I’d mention that.
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Old 25-01-2005, 13:47
sydneyfan
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yes after trying for a while they had another child who would be about 17 by now.
I think Kathy accepted Donna in a way and was upset when she died.
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Old 25-01-2005, 14:15
WalfordWill
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Was Kathy also a woman in EastEnders who has been raped twice in her life?
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Old 25-01-2005, 14:39
Passing Through
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Well, I remember all those characters but I didn't think I had watched EE from pretty much the beginning. I know I didn't watch the first one but I must have got into it soon after. I loved Punk Mary. They should bring her back perhaps as a respectable "social worker" or something!
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Old 25-01-2005, 14:51
sydneyfan
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yes Kathy was raped tiwce- first when she was 14 by a school boy and secondly by James Wilmott Brown who owned the Dagmar pub- most recently the nail bar. I remember about 1996 they were supposed to be in a gay bar in Blackpool and they used the same set as the Dagmar! probably hoped nobody would notice.
I believe Linda Davison who played mary married Ali in real life.Her daughter Annie is about 20 now. perhaps she could run away as a single mother and her mother Mary comes looking for her. History repeats itself......
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Old 25-01-2005, 14:53
annie29
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I watched EE from the beginning and wouldnt miss it (showing my age!) but over the last few years i have only watched bits and pieces and nowadays never watch it.

But i used to love it in the early years and thought it was much better than any other soap..i even had a thing for wicksy..my god the embarrassement!!

The "who is the father" plot was quite good especially when they had all the "suspects" answering the phone and you didnt know who michelle was actually talking to! i remember Tony C was one of them as well.

Arthur's breakdown was another "highlight"..the acting was fantastic (Bill Treacher did a brilliant job and showed why EE was so popular). Had a real sympathy for the character and what he was going through.

I think that was true of all the characters at the time. You had got to know them and what they were like and then when they faced tragedy, etc because you felt like you knew them you really sympathised which their plight. I found in the last few years that that is no longer the case..tbh i couldnt care less about any of the characters now. The writers imo havent made us care about the characters like we used to. The characters dont act like we think they should in certain storylines and therefore for me the reason why i was such a fan has been eroded and the reason why i dont watch anymore.
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Old 25-01-2005, 15:39
Huch'net
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Thanks for that, sydneyfan. xD

Unfortunately I missed the early episodes of EastEnders because..I wasn't born! lol

I can't remember when I started watching it, but Arthur & Michelle were still in it, I've catched up on some of these early episodes though.
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Old 25-01-2005, 16:13
sydneyfan
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Now I do feel old - I was 10 when it started ( I remember Michelle and Mark from their grange hill days).
In those days I had just started to watch Coronation Street so characters like Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner were unknown to me. I suspect people your age think the same about the like of Lou Beale and Angie Watts.
In those days they only had to contend with 2 eps per week so fewer characters and less demand on storylines- they could spend longer on each story and in turn on each scene.It was also more close knit back then- the action only took place on the square for the first couple of years.
I know they couldnt feasibly bring back the old characters but would be nice if they got the actors together again.
A bit like the BT add some years back when Sharon was calling ex characters.
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Old 25-01-2005, 16:42
sydneyfan
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Although not part of the original cast the following characters appeared in the early years:
Charlie Cotton: on and off from 85. Died 91.
Tom: old man who lived in Dots house and she swapped with him. Appeared from 86 and died in the vic in 88.
Inspector Quick: 85-86. Had a thing for Debs and made life hard for Nick Cotton.
Kenny Beale: appeared for 2 weeks in 88. Bring him back!
Colin and Barry. First gay couple. Circa 86 – 89.
Carmel: social worker who went out with Kelvin. She stayed after he left and was joined by her brother Darren and his kids. Circa 86 – 89.
Duncan- Sharons vicar boyfriend 87 -89
Rod: boyfriend of Mary and later Donna 87 – 90.
Mags: girlfriend of Den and later Wicksy 87 -88
Dr Singh 86 -87
James Wilmott Brown- brewery area manager and later landlord of Dagmar 86 -89
Frank Butcher first appeared in 87 and became a regular in 88 along with Ricky, Diane and his mother. Janine arrived a year later.
Cindy: 88 -98.
Naima’s cousin( cant remember his name) 86 – 87
Karims: asian family who took over the shop after Naima left. I recognised the actress who played the mother on Casualty the other night.
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Old 25-01-2005, 16:51
bronze bully
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Originally Posted by sydneyfan
Now I do feel old - I was 10 when it started ( I remember Michelle and Mark from their grange hill days).
In those days I had just started to watch Coronation Street so characters like Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner were unknown to me. I suspect people your age think the same about the like of Lou Beale and Angie Watts.
In those days they only had to contend with 2 eps per week so fewer characters and less demand on storylines- they could spend longer on each story and in turn on each scene.It was also more close knit back then- the action only took place on the square for the first couple of years.
I know they couldnt feasibly bring back the old characters but would be nice if they got the actors together again.
A bit like the BT add some years back when Sharon was calling ex characters.
Agreed, They could do a special EE Revealed for the 20th celebrations where everyone from that first year came back to see how the square had changed - they could show us their studio set & talk about what they did since leaving. At the same time in the same programme, plaques should be uncovered by Tony Holland in memory of Julia Smith & Keith Harris (who designed the Square) both have since passed away. The plaques would be either out of sight on the outdoor lot, or somewhere prominent within the Elstree Centre. The show could also feature Alan Jeapes & Simon May discussing how they created the titles, and a rare interview with Tony Holland. Steven Keogh, the current set designer, could also show us around his props store & reveal many of the original props they still have!!

People who returned for the 15th celebration included Anna Wing, Bill Treacher, Peter Dean, Paul J Medford, Shirley Cheriton, Gillian Taylforth, Leonard Fenton & John Altman, so why not try & get the rest, the EE Revealed Reunion!
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Old 25-01-2005, 19:12
annie29
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I feel like im showing my age as well, as i was 10 when it first started and i was hooked from the beginning!.

There was also Matthew (went on to be in the bill etc.. i cant remeber his name this second!) who went out with Carmel. He was an abusive man and this tackled the domestic violence story which was done really well. Made ppl think that it can happen to anyone and just because she was a social worker helping ppl like this etc. at work didnt mean she could walk if it happened to her. Though thankfully she did have the sense to leave him but he was really nasty.

There was some really great characters back in "old days" and its great reliving them here
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Old 25-01-2005, 19:18
LiverpoolFCGirl
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Originally Posted by Huch'net
Thanks for that, sydneyfan. xD

Unfortunately I missed the early episodes of EastEnders because..I wasn't born! lol
Really? According to your profile you are 99 years old!

Cheers to Sydneyfan for the original post- very interesting. I only started watching EE approx 18 months ago (give or take)!
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Old 25-01-2005, 19:58
Fizzbin
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Originally Posted by sydneyfan
Colin and Barry. First gay couple. Circa 86 – 89
Colin is now an MEP & Barry a London Cabby!

Isn't Roly the dog an original cast member?
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Old 26-01-2005, 02:30
bronze bully
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Originally Posted by Fizzbin
Colin is now an MEP & Barry a London Cabby!

Isn't Roly the dog an original cast member?
Roly died in real life in the summer heatwave of 1995 He lived with Julia Smith - EE creator - she died 2 years later.
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Old 26-01-2005, 03:20
jonathon84
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Originally Posted by bronze bully
Roly died in real life in the summer heatwave of 1995 He lived with Julia Smith - EE creator - she died 2 years later.
Julie Smith - what a legend!! I wonder what she would think about EE today.
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Old 26-01-2005, 08:35
julieannu
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LOL - Colin and Barry the first gay couple. I just remember the headlines now - 'It's Eastbenders!' Can't remember which paper that was though. I did like Colin and Barry, Colin was all sensible and Barry was young and a bit toomuch for Colin in a lot of ways.

Pauline didn't find out Lou had a daughter until years after Lou had died. I think it was when she looked through Ethel's things trying to locate Dot that she found paperwork or letters relating to it.
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Old 26-01-2005, 10:02
sydneyfan
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and lets not forget Ethels dog Willie. Apperently Gretchen Franklin hated that dog in real life and complained that he was collected and driven to work each day while she had to get the bus!
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Old 26-01-2005, 12:33
TheSarge
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Poor Gretchen.

When you look back on The Fowlers/Beales with fond memories, you can't help but feel disappointed with the family line we have now.

On another point, Even though Pat told Wicksy that Brian was his father, I’m glad that the whole subject of Simon paternity is still a little vague because it makes it more interesting and adds some scope for any future storylines involving him and Steven.
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Old 26-01-2005, 12:49
Andyscouser
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Originally Posted by annie29
The "who is the father" plot was quite good especially when they had all the "suspects" answering the phone and you didnt know who michelle was actually talking to! i remember Tony C was one of them as well.

Didn't they do that with Laura Beale a few years back... pretty much exactly the same thing...
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Old 26-01-2005, 12:52
**Brooke**
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Originally Posted by sydneyfan
yes Kathy was raped tiwce- first when she was 14 by a school boy and secondly by James Wilmott Brown who owned the Dagmar pub
Raped twice then kept the baby- anyone sense a pattern emerging here?!?
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Old 26-01-2005, 13:51
julieannu
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Kathy didn't keep Donna. Kathy didn't want her at all. Donna turned up and kept it a secret for ages whilst trying to get close to Kathy. She was a strange person telling wild stories all the time. Think Ian had a thing for her too, before finding out she was a half sister.

I remember thinking it odd though that Kathy wanted to deny the whole episode, even when Donna died, she was a bit shocked but not upset, then when she was having Ben and she was at a parentcraft class, when she introduced herself, she said that Ben was her third baby.
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Old 26-01-2005, 15:07
Etheric Beam
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Originally Posted by julieannu
Pauline didn't find out Lou had a daughter until years after Lou had died. I think it was when she looked through Ethel's things trying to locate Dot that she found paperwork or letters relating to it.
Not sure how true this is as it's tabloid trash...

I remember when Lou died that one of the tabloids (I think The Sun) mentioned that the producers/writers wanted her to reveal on her death bed that she'd had an illegitimate child before Pete/Pauline but apparently Anna Wing refused to enact the scene!

I also loved it around the time of the 1987 General Election when prior to Election day, none of the characters were allowed to say who they'd be voting for in case it appeared that the show was being biased. Of course, after the election, you had (IIRC) Pat and Colin discussing the election with Pat saying something like "Oh I've got a lot of time for Maggie!" . EE did tend to address issues with a sledgehammer in those days! At least it's intentions were fairly noble though.

It's amazing how I have such fondness for the early days of the show and such morbid contempt for it's more recent entries, though admittedly I only catch the odd glimpse now.

To jonathon84 who asked what Julia Smith would think of EE today, I'd imagine she'd eff & blind like a trooper and have them working all hours to get it right. KH is supposed to getting them to work extra to correct poor scripts (yes?) so read into that what you will. Remember Julia Smith created Eldorado and it's a fallacy to think she had the Midas touch, though she certainly hit gold when she first created EE.

Totally off-topic, but reading this thread I'm amazed how young Willhung and Huch'net are!
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Old 26-01-2005, 15:16
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Originally Posted by Etheric Beam

Totally off-topic, but reading this thread I'm amazed how young Willhung and Huch'net are!
I can tell you I'm not.
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