If there's one thing a soap opera can do, it's bring people back from the dead.
And that's exactly what happened during Thursday evening's live episode of EastEnders, as Gillian Taylforth made her illustrious return to the show as Kathy Beale.
Her shock return to the serial drama stunned viewers, as she had previously been killed off in a car accident almost a decade ago.
Scroll down for video
She's back! Gillian Taylforth reprised her iconic role as Kathy Beale in Thursday night's live episode of EastEnders
But there she was, in full glory, arriving on-screen for a showdown with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), much to the delight of the show's fans.
Ian Beale's mother was previously thought to have been killed in a car crash.
Kathy was last seen on the show in 2000 and had been a regular fixture on the long-running soap since 1985, and her landmark return was shrouded in secrecy by the BBC.
During the episode, the show's executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins tweeted: 'We're good at keeping secrets. #KathyComeHome #EELive.'
'Dreams do come true': Her on-screen son Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, shared a selfie of the two who had reunited for the soap opera
And it has also been confirmed that Taylforth will be returning to the show indefinitely in the near future, making it clear that her reemergence was not just a one-off.
Speaking of her comeback, the actress said: 'When Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] approached me with his plan, I was so shocked I got into my car and burst into tears!
'Kathy has always been so close to my heart and it's absolutely wonderful to be returning to the show and reprising the role.'
The executive producer added in a statement: 'I have always made my feelings on Kathy Beale and Gillian Taylforth very clear – she is part of history, mother to Ian and Ben and one of the most important and iconic television characters on British television.
'Six months ago, we set ourselves the challenge of bringing Kathy back to the Square in a credible way. And I believe we have succeeded.'
Will she stay? The return of Kathy - who had been a stalwart on the serial drama from 1985 until 2000 - wants to make a real comeback, but was warned off by her ex-love Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)
He added: 'Viewers will have to keep watching to find out exactly why Kathy 'died', where she has been all these years and why she now wants to come home to Albert Square. This is only the beginning of one of the most earth-shattering storylines.'
And, also clearly thrilled with her return was her on-screen son Adam Woodyatt, who said: 'I'm thrilled, I couldn't be happier. I've finally got my mum back! I've been keeping this secret for so long and now I just can't wait to work with her again.'
After the programme on Thursday evening, Adam shared a sweet selfie of the two of them back together again, as he added: 'Dreams do come true.'
As dramatic as ever: The actress' reappearance on the show was as tense as ever, as she was seen on the BBC programme for the first time in 15 years
In the midst of the part-live episode - one of the serial drama's 30th anniversary celebratory week - Kathy came back during a live segment, coming face-to-face with her former flame Phil Mitchell in the pouring rain.
She admitted that she wanted to make her return to Albert Square but - standing on the edge of the River Thames - he warned her to stay away.
Fans of the show took to Twitter in droves to reveal their shock at her return, with most of them clearly thrilled.
It almost overshadowed the other major plotline of the episode, the reveal of Lucy Beale's killer, who was later named as her brother, Bobby Beale.
More of the shocking whodunnit storyline will be revealed in Friday night's fully-live episode, ending the week of special broadcasting.
Back in the day: Taylforth played Kathy Beale from the very start of EastEnders' TV reign, in 1985
Former flames: Kathy reunited with Phil Mitchell, who she married back in 1995
0 comments:
Post a Comment