EastEnders star Anita Dobson has explained why she almost didn’t play her legendary character Angie Watts.
Appearing in the debut episode in 1985, Dobson cemented her place as EastEnders royalty, playing the Queen Vic’s very first landlady. The character was part of a record-breaking episode, which saw her husband ‘Dirty’ Den Watts handing her divorce papers on Christmas Day in 1986.
The adoptive mother of Sharon Watts, Angie suffered with alcoholism during her time on Albert Square. She left EastEnders after just three years and was later killed off-screen in 2002.
Despite her short time on the soap, Dobson remains a firm favourite among viewers. However, things could have been very different, as another actor was already cast as Angie.
Ahead of EastEnders‘ 40th anniversary, Dobson will appear on Tuesday’s episode of the We Started Here podcast, recalling how she eventually landed the role.
“There was somebody else cast to play Angie Watts,” she tells host Lacey Turner. “I came in at the 11th hour or 11th and a half hour really. It was meant to be. I was cast on the Wednesday and I was filming by the Monday. It was very quick, the turnaround.”
Asked by Turner if the sudden casting change was “scary”, Dobson replies: “Well, everything that’s exciting is scary, isn’t it? So, yes, it was scary, but I just felt I knew this woman [Angie]. I knew her.”
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She adds: It was just a joy to play. It really was a gift. I feel very lucky that that happened. It changed my life.”
The star also comments on Angie and Den’s tumultuous relationship, noting: “She looked like she could handle anything, yes, but actually what she couldn’t handle was her marriage, couldn’t handle her love life.
“And that’s what was ripping her apart. They were destined to be together, but he was a naughty boy. And she loved him, didn’t want to leave him, but hated him for what he was doing to her. It’s a classic love story… Oh, got a bit emotional there.”
