Kathy Beale came back from the dead in last night’s hour-long episode of ‘EastEnders’.
Gillian Taylforth reprised her role as Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) mother Kathy in the BBC One soap’s 30th anniversary episode, nine years after she was believed to have died in a car accident in South Africa.
Kathy was seen meeting ex-husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) – with whom she has son Ben (Harry Reid) – in central London, begging him to let her come home to Albert Square.
With Gillian set to return to the soap for good, viewers will soon find out where Kathy has been for the past nine years and why she had to fake her own death.
Gillian said: "When [executive producer] Dominic [Treadwell Collins] approached me with his plan, I was so shocked I go 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."
Gillian starred in the first ever episode of ‘EastEnders’ in 1985 and was at the heart of some its most memorable scenes for fifteen years until Kathy left Walford and moved to South Africa with her son Ben.
Speaking about bringing her back, Dominic said: "I have always made my feelings on Kathy Beale and Gillian Taylforth very clear – she is part of ‘EastEnders’ 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. 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 ‘EastEnders’ has ever seen…"
Meanwhile, Adam – whose character Ian last night (19.02.15) questioned his new wife Jane (Laurie Brett) about the murder of his daughter Lucy before it was revealed his youngest son Bobby (Eliot Carrington) was responsible for her death – can’t wait to work with his on-screen mother again.
He admitted: "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."
Kathy Beale returns to EastEnders
