Stars of EastEnders' first episode now – saving co-star's life, webcam shame and death

EastEnders has introduced fans to a whole host of household names – but do you know where the stars of the first ever episode are now?

When viewers saw a window being smashed and the sight of Dirty Den on their screens, soaps were never the same again, with the residents of Albert Square delivering some of TV’s most dramatic moments throughout the years.

From Christmas shockers to tragic on-screen deaths and shock affairs, EastEnders has been unmissable TV since 1985.

READ MORE: EastEnders teen stars now – Unrecognisable transformation, career U-turn and pop stardom

On the anniversary of the soap’s first ever episode (February 19), Daily Star takes a look at where the original cast are now.

Leslie Grantham (Den Watts)

EastEnders villains do not come any more memorable than “Dirty” Den Watts, who appeared in the first ever scene of EastEnders’ first episode.

However before appearing in EastEnders, Leslie served 10 years in prison after being convicted of the murder of a taxi driver in Germany in 1967, while on national service.

Upon his release in 1977, the actor later trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, before landing his now famous EastEnders role.

Away from the limelight, Leslie was married to Australian actor Jane Laurie from 1981 to 2013, with whom he had three children.

Leslie was rocked by a scandal in 2004, when photographs of the actor performing a solo sex act on webcam were published in a Sunday newspaper, along with claims that he insulted several of his fellow EastEnders cast members.

Leslie’s character was subsequently written out of the soap, which saw Dirty Den murdered by a number of residents including wife Chrissie Watts.

The actor later starred in The Bill and TV series The English Neighbour, before his death on June 15, 2018 from lung cancer at the age of 71 years old.

Anita Dobson (Angie Watts)

One of Anita Dobson’s most famous roles was as Queen Vic owner Angie Watts between 1985 to 1988.

During her time on the soap, Anita also landed a top ten hit with Anyone Can Fall In Love – a song based on the EastEnders theme music – in 1986.

After the character left in the late eighties she was mentioned off screen numerous times, before Angie died off-screen in 2002.

From there she has not left our screens, appearing in Red Dward, Split Ends, Hotel Babylon, The Bill, Doctor Who, Casualty, The Rebel and on the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Anita is also a talented theatre actress, and most recently appeared in productions such as Fiddler On The Roof and Wicked, as well as pantomimes such as Aladdin and Cinderella.

She isn’t the only British entertainment royalty in her family however, as her husband is none other than Queen guitarist Sir Brian May.

He was previously married to Chrissie Mullen from 1977, with whom he had three children, but the couple separated in 1988.

After dating since the eighties, Brian and Anita married in 2000 and currently live together at their home in Kensington, London.

Susan Tully (Michelle Fowler)

One of Susan Tully’s most famous roles was as Michelle Fowler in EastEnders, who was involved in huge storylines such as her fling with Dirty Den and birth of daughter Vicky.

However, she was already a huge star before joining EastEnders, after playing Suzanne Ross in BBC children’s drama Grange Hill, where she appeared opposite her future soap co-star Todd Carty.

After leaving EastEnders, Susan decided to turn her talents to working behind the camera on BBC series including The Musketeers and Sky Atlantic’s Brittania.

She has since wowed fans with her ageless appearance, and looks completely unrecognisable from her EastEnders days – with Susan sporting a short brown bob in recent photographs.

Away from the limelight, Susan tends to keep her personal life private and it is not known if she is single or in a relationship.

Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler)

Wendy Richard was one of the EastEnders OGs, after appearing as opinionated Pauline Fowler between 1985 to 2006.

However she was already a huge star before stepping onto Albert Square, after appearing as Miss Brahms in comedy Are You Being Served? between 1972 to 1985.

During her time on EastEnders, she was awarded an MBE in 2000 and The Lifetime Achievement Award for her work on the programme at the British Soap Awards.

In 2001, Wendy also saved the life of Big Mo Slater co-star Laila Morse, after she insisted that Laila visit the doctors when she discovered a lump on her chest.

Laila told The Mirror: “I found this lump and I thought: ‘Ah, it can’t be much.’

“So I went into work and I told Wendy Richard and she said: ‘Go to the doctor, I don’t like the sound of that. I’m going on holiday, so when I come back the first thing I’m gonna do is ring you up and find out if you went.”

Laila took Wendy’s advice to visit the doctor and was later diagnosed with breast cancer, with the star undergoing surgery to have lymph nodes removed from her left breast.

Speaking about her co-star, Laila paid tribute to Wendy for saving her life, adding: “I think if it hadn’t been for her, I don’t think I would be here today really. I’m doing this so everybody knows to get it checked up.”

Wendy had herself been previously diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and underwent surgery, before being told she had gone into remission.

However, the actress was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2008, and died on February 26, 2009 at the age of 65 years old.

She had previously made her final TV appearances in Benidorm, Agatha Christie’s Marple and Here Comes The Queen in 2008.

In her personal life, Wendy had no children and was married four times – first to Leonard Blach from 1972 to 1974 and then to Will Thorpe from 1980 to 1984.

She later wed Paul Glorney from 1990 to 1994, before marrying husband John Burns in 2008.

Bill Treacher (Arthur Fowler)

Bill Treacher was another of the EastEnders OGs, after playing Pauline’s husband Arthur in the soap between 1985 to 1996.

His time on the square saw Arthur imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, before sadly dying of a brain haemorrhage on his allotment.

After leaving EastEnders, Bill appeared in a number of TV series including The Bill and Casualty, along with films such as The Musketeer, Tale of The Mummy and George and the Dragon.

In his personal life, Bill was married to the actress Katherine Kessey from 1971, with who he had two children called Jamie and Sophie.

However, Bill died on November 5, 2022 at the age of 92 years old.

His death was announced in a statement from his family, saying: “The family of the actor Bill Treacher are sad to announce that Bill died late Saturday night, 5 November 2022.

“He was 92 years old and his health had been declining for some time. He was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie.

“Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed.”

David Scarboro (Mark Fowler)

Although Todd Carty is known for playing Mark Fowler in EastEnders, the character was originally played by David Scarboro.

David – who had also appeared briefly in Grange Hill with Todd Carty in 1984 – played Mark Fowler from 1985 and appeared intermittently between 1986 and 1987.

However, the actor was found dead at the bottom of Beachy Head in East Sussex on April 27, 1988 at the age of 20 years old.

A documentary on his life was produced by the BBC in 1988 titled My Brother David and was presented by his brother Simon.

Peter Dean (Pete Beale)

Peter Dean played Ian Beale’s dad Pete Beale in EastEnders between 1985 to 1993 – but did you know that he also had another huge soap role?

In 1980, he played Jeff Bateman in Coronation Street, before going on to appear in TV series such as Little Britain, Give Us A Break and most recently, the TV film Nearly New.

He also appeared in the BBC reality series, The Real Marigold Hotel in 2018.

Away from the limelight, Peter was married to Sylvia Jones from 1966 to 1969 with who he had one daughter called Leah.

The Sun also reported that Peter made a career U-turn and has since worked as a security guard and also in a furniture yard away from acting, as well as a painter and decorator.

Anna Wing (Lou Beale)

Anna Wing played Beale family matriarch Lou in EastEnders between 1985 to 1988, but she was already a huge star before appearing on the soap.

Before appearing on the soap, Anna starred in TV series such as Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green and Doctor Who, as well as films such as A Doll’s House, The Hound Of The Baskervilles and Full Circle.

After leaving EastEnders, she also appeared in theatre productions such as Blithe Spirit, as well as TV series such as French and Saunders and film The Calcium Kid with Orlando Bloom.

She was later given an MBE for her services to drama and charity in 2009.

Anna was previously married to Peter Davey between 1944 to 1950 and in a relationship with Philip O’Connor between 1953 to 1960.

Her son Mark Wing-Davey also followed in her footsteps, become an actor and director famous for appearing in radio dramas such as The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy.

However, Anna died on July 13, 2013 at the age of 98 years old.

Her on-screen grandson and Ian Beale star Adam Woodyatt paid tribute to Anna in a statement, saying: “Anna was so helpful, happy to rehearse it over and over again and put me completely at ease,” adding: “I have so many fond memories of her, my thoughts are with her family and friends.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk