EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has cast Hollywood actor Alan Ford for an upcoming storyline, according to reports.
The actor, who has starred in movies including Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Exorcist: The Beginning, will be heading to Albert Square for a sad occasion.
The Sun reports that the residents of Walford will be attending a funeral for Aunt Sal, the sister of Peggy Mitchell who was last seen on screen in January 2017 at the funeral of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell following their tragic drowning. Ford’s character is expected to attend the funeral.
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Ford has actually made a guest appearance in EastEnders before, playing a conman named Sam Sangers in a 1986 episode.
Dodgy Sam tried to con Debbie Wilkins out of belongings owned by her deceased boyfriend, Andy O’Brien, but Pauline Fowler was quick to send him on his way.
It is not yet known whether Ford will play a new character in his next stint, or if Sam will be making a surprise comeback due to an unknown connection with Aunt Sal.
Aunt Sal was last mentioned in 2022, when Sharon Watts suggested that Phil Mitchell may be hiding out in her holiday home while on the run from the police.
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The funeral for Aunt Sal comes after actress Anna Karen, who had played her in multiple episodes since her first introduction in 1996, passed away in February 2022 at the age of 85, following a fire at her home.
After the actress’ death, EastEnders paid tribute to her in a statement which praised the star for creating “a sharp, quick witted and extremely popular character” that “the audience will never forget”.
“Those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness, fun and good humour,” the statement continued.
An EastEnders spokesperson declined to comment on the reports of Ford’s casting and Aunt Sal’s funeral.
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.
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Reporter & Sub-Editor, Digital Spy Susannah is a freelance writer and sub-editor, specialising in the entertainment industry. She graduated in 2014, with a BA in English and American Literature and Creative Writing, and an MA in Creative Producing. She’s been writing for Digital Spy ever since, after first getting involved through work experience, and has written hundreds of stories for the site on a range of topics, from The Sims to Doctor Who. Susannah has also written for Reveal Magazine. Her special interests are soaps (her Mastermind subject would be 2000s Coronation Street), Marvel and Star Wars. She can also quote far too many lines from Friends and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
