Peggy slings ‘er hook!

Peggy Mitchell, played by actress Barbara Windsor is to leave Albert Square next year.

Windsor who has played the role of feisty Peggy for 15 years announced her decision to quit to spend more time with friends and family. The 72 year-old actress thanked everyone at EastEnders for a wonderful 15 years and did not fail to mention how the show changed her life all those years ago.

“Enders executive producer, Diederick Santer praised Windsor’s work on the show and said she made the Mitchells one of British televisions most popular and loved families.

It is not known yet how Peggy will make her exit but producers will not be giving much away. As we know, Archie her estranged husband makes his exit over the Christmas period.

One thing is for sure, cast, crew and fans will never be able to imagine the Square without Peggy Mitchell. She was and had taken over the baton from Pauline Fowler. She also leaves behind some great colleagues whom she has shared some of her most memorable scenes with, including, Pam St. Clement, Steve McFadden and even Tracey the barmaid.

So with Peggy on her way out of the door, who will be the next Walford matriarch, my money is on Zainab Masood. More importantly, will the Mitchell name still remain over the door of The Queen Vic?

The best EastEnders episode this year?

Walford weddings are always an excuse for some of the residents to get drunk and a secret is normally exposed in the middle of The Vic in front of everyone. Peggy and Archie’s wedding tonight ticked both of those boxes but an added twist made it one of the best endings to a storyline in EastEnders history…in my opinion.

The hour long episode we were all treated to last night began with the wedding prep, then the service and Peggy was doubting her choice of dress, mainly because it was completely the opposite to what Archie wanted her to wear. Cut to the church and Archie waiting nervously strangely enough. Maybe he thought Danielle might turn up. But she did not. She was waiting back at The Vic for Amy who she was planning on kidnapping. But as it happens someone got in her way in the form of Ronnie…

Then it was, “you’re my mother!” Ronnie did not believe the 19 year-old and Archie managed to manipulate once more but it was not to last. A locket tells so many stories in Walford and that was all Ronnie needed to realise Danielle was in fact her daughter. 

Next move…confront a drunken Stacey and find Danielle. Easier said than done, fair enough she found her at the tube station but nothing could have prepared anyone for what was about to happen. Just as Ronnie accepts Danielle, splat! Janine tears around the corner and runs Danielle over. In true Walford style at the very end, Danielle slips away and dies in Ronnie’s arms. It was a very dramatic and emotionally charged episode and the ending was devastating.

The acting tonight was outstanding with amazing performances by Sam Janus, Lauren Crace, Larry Lamb, Barbara Windsor and Lacey Turner. If they do not win an award for this I will be very surprised. Viewing figures I would imagine will be up as well. This was EastEnders and in fact television drama at its best and well worth the seven month build up.

What To Watch – Friday 27th March

TOP DOGS: ADVENTURES IN WAR, SEA AND ICE

John Simpson discusses his job on the front line (Source: Telegraph)

BBC TWO 9:00 PM

In the first of a three-part run, war reporter John Simpson takes yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to one of the many places he has reported from and discusses his profession. This looks like a very interesting series as three very different but thought provoking professions are exposed in ways that we rarely see. What will the other two think of the dangerous situations Simpson has been in and what will they all have in store for one another when they discuss their professions?

 

EASTENDERS

Will Janine expose Ricky and Bianca's secret? (Source: The Sun)

BBC ONE 8:00 PM

Tonight scheming Janine (Charlie Brooks) finds out that Ricky (Sid Owen) is Tiffany’s dad. But what will she bribe him with in order to keep it quiet, let her babysit for Tiffany (Maisie Smith) of course. The two begin to bond but when Bianca (Patsy Palmer) returns home and finds Janine babysitting she hits the roof. After all she did catch Tiffany being bundled into one of Janine’s clients cars last night, so I am not surprised. But with Bianca reading the riot act will Janine be able to keep quiet or will she blurt out Ricky and Bianca’s secret?

 

THE REAL SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON

Will the families survive? (Source: Ricochet)

BBC ONE 9:00 PM 

A new four-part series follows families as they experience life away from home and their luxuries. Tonight the programme follows the Dyes family from Essex. They are stranded on the remote island of Anariki in the North Pacific. Will they be able to survive with the supplies they have, and will they be able to make a home out of what the island has to offer. I am sure some will crack under the pressure. It seems like a more up-market Shipwrecked to me.

 

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS

Barbara and Larry discuss their fast approaching nuptials (Source: The Sun)

BBC ONE 10:35 PM

Jonathan is joined by EastEnders actors Larry Lamb and Barbara Windsor who discuss their fast approaching wedding and the big reveal. Also joining Jonathan is the star of Kilimanjaro and Radio 1 Chris Moyles. Notting Hill star Rhys Ifans also drops in for a chat. Music comes from Pete Doherty. 

What To Watch – Sunday 22nd March

DANCING ON ICE – THE FINAL

Join Holly and Phillip for the live final. Tonight from 6:55pm on ITV1 (Source: Guardian)

ITV1 6:55 PM

Ray, Donal and Jessica battle it out on the ice tonight to impress the judges and the public and become the Dancing On Ice 2009 Champion. Earlier in the week, Jayne Torvill claimed that Quinn was quite vulnerable but he still stands as the favourite to win. Jessica has stayed consistent all the way through the competition with Donal becoming one of the most improved skaters.

After one is eliminated, the two remaining skaters will dance to Bolero, a dance Torvill and Dean won gold for 25 years ago. This is the ultimate challenge and the judges along with Torvill and Dean will be watching their every move. The three finalists will also perform their favourite dance of the series and one which involves flying through the air. But at the end of the day it is up to the harshest critics to decide the winner, us the public. 

Join Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby tonight for the live final and don’t forget to vote for your favourite!

 

THE SECRET MILLIONAIRE

CHANNEL 4 9:00 PM

It has returned to our screens for an eight-part run and tonight the secret millionaire, known as Kevin Morley visits Haringey in North London where housing problems are increasingly growing in the area. Can he transform the lives of some of Haringey’s residents? Being an entrepreneur and former Managing Director of Rover, I am sure that he will help in making a difference to the ever increasing housing problem in Haringey. I can’t wait to see the look on the residents faces when he reveals his true identity. 

 

CHRIS MOYLES’ QUIZ NIGHT

Will the radio genius pull it off on TV? (Source: London Is Free)

CHANNEL 4 10:00 PM

Channel 4 say in the advert that they have finally got him and yes they have. Tonight sees the launch of Chris Moyles’ news quiz show. I am imagining it to be a bit like 8 Out Of 10 Cats but I could be wrong. Chris is a funny guy but I have my reservations about him doing his own TV show. I am willing to give him a chance though and he has some great guests on tonight. Joining him will be, Mark Ronson, X Factor judge Louis Walsh and EastEnder Barbara Windsor.

 

DAMAGES

BBC ONE 10:20 PM

This series is getting better and better and Glenn Close is such a brilliant actress as corrupt lawyer Patty Hewes. Tonight she appears on a TV interview in order to accuse Walter Kendrick of murder. But does she have all the evidence she needs and I am itching to find out who Ellen Parsons shoots at the end!

A thousand goodbyes to Wendy Richard

 

Wendy as EastEnders matriarch Pauline Fowler with son Mark (Todd Carty) and husband Arthur (Bill Treacher) (Source: thisislondon.co.uk)

Around 1000 people attended Wendy Richard’s funeral today which took place at St Marylebone Parish Church in London.

Among the hundreds of mourners, around 100 EastEnders cast and crew members including, June Brown (Dot), Barbara Windsor (Peggy), Steve McFadden (Phil) and Ricky Groves (Garry). Todd Carty was also present at the ceremony.

Filming at Elstree was re-scheduled today so as many people as possible could attend the service and say goodbye to one of the most loved characters on television.

Richard, who was 65 lost her third battle with cancer a few weeks ago. 

Peggy and Archie’s Wedding – EastEnders

EastEnders BBC One Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday (Source: photobucket.com)

Sharon Marshall, Soap Queen on This Morning has written on her Twitter that Archie and Peggy Mitchell’s wedding in EastEnders is going to be iconic. They are expected to tie the knot early next month and have had their fair share of knocks so far. Thursdays episode saw Archie walk in on Peggy in her dress and her council campaign is getting in the way of her planning for what should be the happiest day of her life (even if it is her third marriage).

Larry Lamb plays such a good part as the demonic Archie and his new found friendship with Janine (Charlie Brooks) is going to make for compelling viewing. Will Peggy get her dream day or will Archie turn out to be another Frank. I am going with the latter.

Will Peggy and Archie make it up the aisle? (Source: thesun.co.uk)

Marshall has also hinted that there is to be a big twist in a storyline soon. Could this be Ronnie/Danielle saga? I just wish she would tell her if I’m honest.

Also look out for new arrivals in the Square including, Edward Woodward, The Masoods estranged son Syed (played by Marc Elliot) and Syed’s girlfriend, Amira Shah (played by Preeya Kalidas).

You can also vote for EastEnders in The British Soap Awards which will be broadcast in May.