Category Entertainment News

25 years after being killed off, Ian Watts made a dramatic comeback to EastEnders.

In 1985, Anita Dobson, 75, portrayed Dirty Den Watts, her on-screen husband as they became the first landlord and landlord of the Queen Vic, in the role of Angie. Anita, who had previously started filming Jean Fennell, took over the role of Angie, but she later realized she had a different perspective.

Anita stayed on the show for three years while continuing to do so with Angie, which included some of the most dramatic storylines in soap history. Angie alcoholic in a role that had never before been seen before, breaking a significant trend in TV dramas that had primarily focused on men.

However, there was more drama surrounding Angie than just this: on Boxing Day 1986, a staggering 30.15 million people tuned in to see Den slap Angie with divorce papers on the Queen Vic’s stairs. No other TV soap opera has yet managed to surpass this record. However, Angie cemented her decision to leave the show after only three years and promised to stay.

Refusing to return, Anita previously said: “Why tarnish the gorgeous creation that was Angie Watts”? This cemented the decision from bosses to kill Angie off, off-screen. In 2002, she died from alcohol poisoning and returned to Walford to be buried by her daughter, Sharon Watts.

Anita is married to Sir Brian May, a world-renowned rock star, and they are living apart from the show. The couple, who were married in a low-key yet romantic ceremony at a registry office in Richmond upon Thames, London, wed in 2000. They were married in the style of Sir and Lady May.

Speaking about their first interaction, Anita told the Daily Mail: “He invited me to see Queen play at Wembley, with some friends. I had previously only dreamed of seeing my husband, so I was able to enter a world. Here was a man who was a god globally”. The couple met shortly after their wedding, and they soon flew to Venice on honeymoon.

However, their wedding was marred by a tragic accident, with Anita saving Brian’s life and Sir and Lady May experiencing a heart attack the same year. Anita, initially brushed off Brian’s symptoms, with her explaining to the Mail: “He said, ‘ Babe, I think I’m having a heart attack’, I said ‘ No, you’ve been exercising and you’ve overdone it'”. Brian was recovering from a torn muscle and trapped nerve he had sustained while gardening.

Speaking on BBC’s Morning Live, Brian commented: “She did save my life. I experienced a number of issues. Although it was lockdown, I was incapacitated due to a heart attack and drug problems, and then I developed sciatica. I couldn’t even crawl”.

Reflecting further on his health, Brian couldn’t help but sing Anita’s praises, saying: “So when you get that bad, you’re just grateful to be alive at the end of it and its thanks to Anita that I am, she’s been there the whole way through it. She’s taken care of me and nursed me and whatever”.

Beyond EastEnders, Anita has a long acting career. She’s appeared in a variety of TV shows including Dangerfield, Ghosts, Sunburn, Hotel Babylon, Holby City, The Bill, and the comedy series The Rebel. It’s not just TV roles that Anita is known for as she has also appeared in a string of stage productions, including Chorus Girls, Chicago, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Wicked. After signing up for Strictly Come Dancing with professional star Robin Windsor, she practiced her theatre and stage school experiences in 2011. But things didn’t go to plan, with Anita being eliminated during week nine.

More recently, Anita portrayed Eunice Lytton in the 2025 edition of Father Brown, and had a busy year last year with roles as Janine in Generation Z (2024), Janet in Curfew (2024), Mrs Flood in Doctor Who, and Mrs. Mentis in the film This Time Next Year. While Anita’s portrayal of Angie may have been axed more than 20 years ago, she made a dramatic appearance in the episode’s 40th anniversary episode from the perspective of the dead.

Angie appeared alongside Sharon, who was sat in a lucid state of unconsciousness as her daughter Sharon was laying in the rubble after the Vic vanished. She was told by Angela that she should start screaming for assistance and that their reunification was not yet her plan. “You’re not giving up on us, are you Sharon”? Angie asked her. “Hello, darling! I’ve missed you so much”. Angie responded, “I know, baby, and I wish I could just put my arms around you and give you a great big hug, but it’s not time for us to be together yet darling.” When Sharon admitted that she’s scared, Angie replied: “We’re all scared aren’t we? Look at me, I’ve always had fear in my life. But you’ve got to keep fighting, Sharon”.

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Tenacious D’s fans have been left speechless since discovering the true meaning of the band’s name.

The dynamic duo of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, formed their comedy rock partnership back in 1994, belting out hits like Tribute, Beelzeboss, Kickapoo, The Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage, Wonderboy, and The Metal.

Despite their comedic roots, they’ve rocked out on the silver screen in movies such as Bi-Dome, The Cable Guy, Bongwater, Shallow Hal, and Year One. Additionally, Black voicing the lovable Po and Gass as KG Shaw, while the pair also contributed voices to the animated film Kung Fu Panda.

For the final credits of the fourth film in the franchise, they even covered Britney Spears’ iconic Baby One More Time. Despite all this fame, some fans are still perplexed as to what the ‘D’ in Tenacious D stands for.

Black shared his love for the phrase “Tenacious defense” that NBA commentator Mark Robert would use in a direct conversation with Bill Simmons on Grantland. He explained that ‘ tenacious ‘ is a little-known basketball term that epitomises a player’s grit and relentless spirit, particularly in defence.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, we were stomping heavily at Kyle’s apartment and watching basketball, jamming, and getting high, and we were considering “what would be the best name for a band” (LAKER). And for some reason, we were having a hard time laughing at the idea of Tenacious D as a band.

He continued: “I don’t even know if he ever said the word ‘ D’, I think we might have made that abbreviation for him, but yeah I think we were just really stoned..”. A Reddit user commented on their distinctive moniker, “Today I learned that the band Tenacious D got their name from NBA commentator Walt Frazier’s expression for players who played tough defense.”

Another chimed in: “The greatest song in the world is Beelzeboss”. Another fan remarked on a recent podcast that “jack straight up claims they wanted to write the world’s greatest song, and they just thought it would be dumb/funnier if they had written it then forgot because they were stoners.”

A different user pondered: “So their name is just a tribute”? Wrapping up the thread, another contributed with a laugh: “Here’s me thinking it had something to do with a persistent erection”.

After his brother’s killer escaped, Ronan Keating took to social media to criticize the “broken justice system.”

The former Boyzone singer’s brother, Ciaran, was killed in a car crash in Mayo, Ireland, in July 2023 while on his way to his son’s football match. In a collision on the N5 at Ballymiles on a road known as an accident black-spot, Caiaran received fatal injuries.

Ciarán’s wife Annmarie was unable to attend her husband’s funeral because of her medical condition after the collision. A man who was in the collision has now received a 17-month prison sentence with a two-year suspended sentence. Judge Eoin Garavan also forbade him from driving for two years.

Dean Harte pleaded guilty to careless driving after being charged with it and facing serious injury on the DPP’s orders.

After receiving the sentence, singer Ronan posted his shock on Instagram. He remarked, “Today’s sentencing was a devastating illustration of how broken our justice system is. You can kill a man… and you can walk free. Not even a single night in prison. Nothing more than a slap on the wrist and a ticket to carry on your life.

Then, he continued, “We wonder why we keep seeing this kind of behavior on our roads and why every week, people in Ireland pass away in road accidents?” They all turn a blind eye to our broken system, which is morally wrong and a joke.

He then yelled at the car before saying, “Shame on everyone who contributed to this process that caused today’s heartbreaking outcome for my family.” Devastatingly, Ronan said his family will now never find peace.

“We will continue to fight for Ciaran’s justice”, he said. We pray that other families never find themselves in our position and think of all the other families who have already come into our lives at this time.

In court, John Shortt, counsel for Harte, called the accident as “an absolute tragedy”. He claimed that while it was difficult for the Keating family to accept an apology, Harte had written a letter outlining “genuine remorse.” He added that the Keating family’s life had forever changed. The Keating family turned down the offer, he claimed.

One of Annmarie Keating’s sons, Conall, was reportedly present at the hearing and gave impact statements on behalf of her and her family. “Ciarán was the love of my life and the beat of my heart”, Mrs Keating wrote. “I will never forget this and never forget.”

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It’s Thursday, and one star sign should set aside some time to tackle a problem, while another will explore a new field of study.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

Astrologer Russell Grant, who has studied star signs for over 50 years, compiles these daily forecasts. From horoscopes/aries/daily/”>Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

There is nothing stopping you from changing your life to fit your long-term desires and preferences if you look around. Even if doing so would mean going against what other people expect of you, your goal is to improve your abilities and ability to make your own decisions. You have faith that you can accomplish this alone.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

You are so much more than you realize. You might learn valuable new skills by assuming additional responsibilities when your plate is full. You’ll discover that you can handle problems you’ve already avoided.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Avoid putting too much time into boring activities or wasting too much time in places you know well. When you are traveling, there is a lot to see and do. There are plenty of intriguing topics to choose from if you’re considering pursuing a new field of study.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

Problems you are facing may not have an easy fix and you weren’t expecting this, anyway. You foresaw the need to work through them in detail. It may be necessary to change your approach. Friendship and money will be an uneasy mix, today.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

Why not look into funding options or ways to reduce costs if a new project is on your mind but you are facing financial challenges? Your decision-making will be strengthened by adopting a simple, actionable approach to problem solving.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

You now have a positive and even vibrant vibe. You have a chance to pursue goals with all your might. You’ll find it much simpler to motivate others, and the outcomes will be significant and quick.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Over the coming months or so, your goal is to increase your productivity and efficiency. Take some time to consider how you can organize your life so that everything flows more smoothly. You will thrive in environments that are supportive, harmonious and aesthetically pleasing.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

You are more emotionally invested in your relationships than you initially thought. Finding true relaxation is a result of being in the company of too many people and engaging in constant activity. Focus on your personal interests, and enjoy the peace and satisfaction that come with it.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

A healthy balance of give and take will ensure the success of your family. Important lessons can be learned about creating a happy and harmonious home from learning to compromise. Set aside some time to address a problem that your loved ones are experiencing. Some loving care will be given to a housemate.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Unexpected computer crashes, canceled appointments, or power outages will disrupt your daily routine. Keep your wits at bay. Your personal or professional life may incorporate some fresh technology. You’ll catch you off guard if you have a health-related problem.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

It won’t seem like a big deal to you to agree to help your family, friends, and coworkers when they ask for assistance. You might wish you hadn’t said yes sooner when new commitments conflict with your personal plans.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

A social or familial invitation will determine a disagreement. Despite the fact that it will disappoint someone, you feel you must turn it down because of your busy schedule. You have other priorities, which prevent you from being active socially, despite your desire to be more active.

Cheryl Fergison, a Walford favorite, has spoken out about things that haven’t been easy for her since leaving EastEnders more than 14 years ago. She has even been forced to “take jobs for no money” due to the dire financial issues that have plagued her since. Heather Trott, 60, starred in the BBC soap for five seasons between 2007 and 2012, and her performance was wildly popular until Ben Mitchell hit her head head in the face with a picture frame, causing her to hit her head on the floor.

However, Cheryl revealed she had turned to a food bank for assistance and was relying on benefits after finding herself struggling financially, despite still being a beloved member of EastEnders history. Cheryl has recently started a Chinese takeaway in Cleveleys (near Blackpool), which she has been doing to make ends meet.

Opening up on her current financial situation, the actress told Casino. org: “My health is good, but my finances will take a long time to recover”

“Until I have steady work, I’m not rich or comfortable—I’m just surviving. I’ve been saying “yes” to everything without getting paid, but I need to start valuing my labor and demanding fair wages. Even my agent insists on it.

She went on: “Still, I’ll never give in. I want to keep singing. If people criticise me for singing in small restaurants, so be it. At the end of the day, I’m an entertainer. I’ve always valued community, so I’ll always be there in person.

Cheryl retorted the situation, and she also reacted to critics by offering a message of support to others in the same boat as she found herself. No one should be let down for trying to get back on their feet, the actress continued in defiant. One thing isn’t better than another—we all have our paths. I’m working my way back up and always sing my heart out.

After being conned out of a “humungous” amount of money, something she briefly touched on during a This Morning appearance, she was once at the top of her game as a primetime BBC star.

Cheryl said: “There is a circumstance that started this, which I can’t talk about at this moment in time, but it started to spiral”. The only way to deny it is that I was duped into paying a huge sum of money.

“That led to the cancer thing and everything spiralled. I was stealing Paul’s money from Peter. In the end, I had to sell my home. Now I am living up north and renting”.

However, Cheryl may have faced challenges over the past few years, but things are starting to look good as a result of her recent teaser for a possible return to the BBC.

Cheryl shared to her followers on social media: “I’ve been packing, getting ready for London next week. Having a small secret project in mind. Then, I will be filming for the BBC. The Groove Chorus will perform at The Clapham Ground on February 21 and 22, then I’ll be there.

Some EastEnders viewers are still unsure about Cindy Beale’s Christmas Day attack on Kathy Beale.

Cindy (played by Michelle Collins) had been hit in the head with a shovel outside the Queen Vic on the BBC television program, leaving her for dead. Fans have been anticipating the reveal of the nearly-dead character for weeks.

In her concern that it was Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), Cindy confronted him with a gun on Tuesday night in episode two. He assuredly that it wasn’t him and suggested Peter Beale, the couple’s son, was the assailant (Thomas Law).

Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) then appeared and said that she had attacked Cindy at Christmas. Fans began to question her as being covering for someone else despite the fact that the mystery has already been solved.

However, some viewers remain skeptical and pointed out a fact from Wednesday’s hour-long 40th anniversary episode that might raise questions about Kathy’s role in the attack. Following a recent explosion at the nearby pub, Kathy and Cindy were caught entrapped inside the Queen Vic during the episode.

Just a few weeks after it was revealed that Cindy had once more cheated on Ian, viewers witnessed them conversing while they lay among rubble. Sharing her thoughts, Kathy said: “I’m ashamed of my mistakes, but you, you revel in them. Have lived your entire life, so I chose you.”

Later, Kathy made a decision to try to leave the pub after watching Cindy push Ian in front of a car earlier this week. She initially didn’t seem interested in bringing Cindy with her.

Cindy argued against leaving behind, though. She said: “I didn’t mean to hurt him. I just lost it”. Kathy responded: “You shoved him in front of a moving car”. Cindy then said that Kathy “left her for dead”, prompting the latter to say back: “You’d think that would have taught you a lesson”.

Further pleading, Cindy revealed to Kathy that she was bleeding out and that she would ultimately pass away if left. She went on to warn that Kathy wouldn’t want her death on her conscience, adding: “If you leave me to die, you’ll never be able to live with yourself”. Kathy said to Cindy as they fled the bar, “Don’t you dare die on me,” after deciding to rescue her after she was later seen in an ambulance.

After going through the recent weeks, some fans have questioned Kathy’s decision to save Cindy. Viewers have taken note of the query on social media, including Reddit.

Suggesting that it was a “clue” towards Kathy’s innocent, one fan wrote on the platform: “So in tonight’s episode Cindy convinces Kathy to help her because Kathy couldn’t live with Cindy’s death on her conscience. However, it is said that Kathy attempted to kill her first. Now she’s got a conscience? This entire thing is Cindy’s fault, she tried to kill Ian, this should have made Kathy an even colder person, but she can’t leave Cindy to die? Hmmmmmm”. Someone responded, “I agree, Kathy was in a position to leave her, but she never once said that she was “finishing the job,” which was what I was anticipating was the final confirmation that she had done it- and that she had been holding out for a, oh actually, it was Peter!” ‘”.

There was similar speculation on X, with one viewer writing: “So if Kathy was the one who whacked Cindy, why did she save her tonight?? Makes no sense”. Another wrote in a post about the scenes, “Find it hard to believe Kathy shoveled Cindy in the head, causing her to die, before saving her from the vic! ” Still reckon it’s Peter tbh”.

Someone said: “FYI, I absolutely don’t believe Kathy was the initial Cindy whacker. After Cindy allegedly tried to make Ian soup, she had ZERO regrets yesterday and now saves her life. Not buying it”. Right, according to one fan, “Katie tried to kill Cindy on Christmas, which was dangerous, but she then goes out of her way to save her tonight when she could have died”? It’s not adding up”. Sharing their thoughts, another said: “Also I even more don’t believe that it was Kathy after she saved Cindy from the pub. How or why would Ian, who had the locket and claimed it to be Peter, think or act that way if Kathy was the victim?

Tomorrow night, BBC One and BBC iPlayer will air EastEnders at 7:30 p.m.

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