EastEnders SPOILER: Legendary character returning after 31 years
Soaps

EastEnders SPOILER: Legendary character returning after 31 years

She hasn't been seen since she was a child

Mary the Punk will return to EastEnders with her daughter Annie.

We already know Walford’s original wild child will return after 31 years for Dr Legg’s funeral when the doctor dies later this month and now it’s been revealed she won’t be alone.

EastEnders Lofty, Dot, Mary
Mary and Lofty are returning for Dr Legg’s funeral (Credit: BBC)

The Sun reports she will be joined by her now adult daughter Annie who hasn’t been seen in Albert Square for 31 years.

Doctors actress Marilyn O’Brien will join the soap in the role.

Tom Watt and Linda Davidson will reprise their roles later this month for the funeral scenes.

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Long-term viewers will remember that Mary Smith and Lofty Holloway were two of the show’s original 26 characters when the BBC soap launched in 1985.

Neither have been seen in Walford since they left in 1988.

Mary Smith lived in Walford from 1985 to 1988. She was a troubled single mum with a chequered history, which included drugs, prostitution and teenage pregnancy.

Mary the Punk vs the health visitor | EastEnders

She was last seen in May 1988 getting on a bus to leave with daughter Annie after clashing with her interfering parents.

Mary was played by Linda Davidson, who later retired from acting and changed careers to work in technology.

Linda said in a statement: “EastEnders was my first proper family.

Mary was last seen getting on a bus to leave Walford in 1988 (Credit: BBC)

“It gave me stability and a fantastic foundation from which to build an incredible life. The people I met have been a consistent thread throughout the intervening years.

“I am thrilled and proud to be returning to that family 35 years later. It’s going to be a blast!”

Meanwhile, Lofty was a barman at the Queen Vic who was hopelessly in love with Michelle Fowler, who dumped him at the altar.

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Obviously a glutton for punishment, Lofty agreed to marry her again after she had Dirty Den’s illegitimate child, Vicki.

However, when their marriage broke down, he left Walford and became a social worker.

In real life, Tom became a journalist and writer, even ghostwriting David Beckham’s autobiography.

Are you excited for Annie’s return? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!

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