EastEnders Queen Vic owners now – 3st weight loss, death and prison stint

If there’s one place that has seen all the drama on EastEnders, it’s The Queen Vic.

Whether it was Dirty Den handing over divorce papers to Angie, Sharon and Grant’s affair being exposed to the residents of Walford or Peggy Mitchell telling everyone to “Get out of my pub!” there has never been a quiet moment at the pub.

But where are the actors who played its famous owners now?

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

As EastEnders celebrates its 37th anniversary (February 19), Daily Star takes a look at where some of the owners of The Queen Vic are now.

Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den Watts)

EastEnders villains do not come any more memorable than “Dirty” Den Watts, who owned The Queen Vic pub alongside wife Angie.

From delivering Angie Watts divorce papers on Christmas Day, to his supposed death in 1989 and shock return in 2003, Den was at the heart of some of the soap’s most dramatic storylines.

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.

The actor claimed he did not know his gun was loaded, but was later sentenced to life imprisonment, before being released in 1977.

During his sentence, he encountered a volunteer working at the prison, who would later go on to become a Doctor Who and Emmerdale star herself – the actress Louise Jameson.

Louise also had a job as a prison visitor, and following their meeting, Louise encouraged Leslie to consider a career in acting.

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 who 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.

The Mirror reported that Leslie issued an apology and donated money to charity following the incident, saying in a statement: “I would like to unreservedly apologise to the cast and crew of EastEnders and the BBC for the embarrassment that has been caused by recent newspaper allegations.”

Leslie’s character was subsequently written out of the soap, which saw Dirty Den murdered.

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.

Leslie’s former EastEnders cast members paid tribute to the actor, with on-screen wife Anita Dobson telling the BBC: “We were both really lucky that we were cast opposite each other. The chemistry was magic… it just happened.”

Sharon Watts actress Letitia Dean also said in a statement: “I have very special memories of working with Leslie and will cherish them always. He and Anita looked after me in my early days and showed me the ropes, always with care and kindness.”

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.

However the moment with the divorce papers became on the soap’s most memorable scenes, with Anita saying that the impact of the story even led fans to follow her home.

“I didn’t know what had hit me. People were following me home in cars, I couldn’t go to pubs or supermarkets or walk down the street,” Anita told The Mirror.

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 who 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.

The star also shared a sweet snap of himself and Anita on his Instagram page, showing the loved up couple in front of a Christmas tree on a night out, to celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary on November 19 2021.

Brian thanked fans in the caption, saying: “Thanks for our anniversary wishes, folks! Anita says thanks too.

“Our marriage was 21 today! But we’ve actually effectively been a couple since 1986. Where did that time go? Cheers all – Bri.”

Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell)

Another EastEnders icon was none other than Barbara Windsor, who appeared in the soap as Peggy Mitchell between 1994 to 2016.

During that time she was at the helm of The Queen Vic alongside sons Grant and Phil, where she coined her famous catch-phrase – “Get out of my pub!” during her ownership between 1995 to 2001.

However, Barbara was already a huge star of stage and screen before joining the soap, appearing in the Carry On films and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, to name a few.

She also appeared in Hollywood films including Alice In Wonderland, before her EastEnders character Peggy died in 2016.

However, two years before her Albert Square exit, Barbara had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, with her husband Scott Mitchell later revealing the diagnosis publicly in 2018.

They later became ambassadors for the Alzheimer’s Society, but it is reported that after her 80th birthday, her condition deteriorated and the actress withdrew from public life.

In 2019 she also delivered a letter calling for better care for people with dementia to 10 Downing Street on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Sadly one year later in 2020, the star died after a long battle with Alzheimers at a London care home, with her husband announcing her death in a statement.

He said she would be remembered for the “love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives.”

Scott added: “I’ve lost my wife, my best friend and soul mate and my heart or life will never feel the same without you.”

Fellow stars from the world of entertainment paid tribute to Barbara, with Sir Elton John saying: “The world has lost the biggest ray of light. And heaven has the sweetest and funniest angel.”

Martin Kemp (Steve Owen)

Martin Kemp became a classic EastEnders villain when he appeared on the square as Steve Owen in 1998 – with the character even taking over The Queen Vic for a brief stint in 2001.

Martin had already risen to global fame in the years before however, after becoming one part of global chart-topping group Spandau Ballet alongside brother Gary.

Along with hits including Gold and True, as well as appearing on Band Aid and performing at Live Aid, he and Gary made waves when they turned their talents to acting in 1990’s The Krays.

After playing Steve Owen in EastEnders between 1998 to 2002, Martin left and has since appeared in TV series such as The Brides In Bath, Waterloo Road and most recently, McDonald and Dodds.

He is not the only famous star in his family however, as the musician married Wham! star Shirlie Holliman in 1998, with who he has two children – including TV personality and radio host Roman Kemp.

Roman has been seen alongside his famous dad on Celebrity Gogglebox, while Martin and wife Shirlie were recently uncovered as Cat and Mouse on ITV’s The Masked Singer.

Martin has also spoken openly about being diagnosed with two brain tumours during the nineties, for which he underwent radiotherapy and surgery.

The actor revealed on The Dish Podcast that taking on his EastEnders role helped him to recover from the brain tumours, saying: “My brain still wasn’t working properly from the operation.”

“To the point where sometimes if I wanted to walk left, I would walk right, or like I couldn’t think about putting things in order, or anything like that. Learning lines was just way out there.

“When EastEnders was offered to me it was a chance for me to get over it, so it wasn’t just me taking EastEnders on because I thought yeah, it was a good gig – it was me trying to get my life back together.”

Tracy Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts)

Tracy Ann Oberman became a household name after playing Dirty Den’s second wife Chrissie during the noughties, during which time she and Den ran The Queen Vic in 2005.

Long before she stepped onto the square though, Tracy had made her name on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the nineties and has since starred in productions such as Edmond opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh.

She has also lent her voice to radio plays such as The Way It Is and Getting Nowhere Fast, as well as appearing in TV series such as Lenny Henry in Pieces, Where The Heart Is, Robin Hood, Father Brown and New Tricks.

Tracy most recently appeared in Friday Night Dinner, Code 404, After Life and Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin.

Away from the limelight, she has been married to music producer Rob Cowan since 2004 with who she has a daughter.

However in 2022, Tracy apologised for falsely accusing an MP of antisemitism, and agreed to pay substantial damages following the accusations, according to The Guardian.

Addressing the claim in a tweet, she said: “I made a mistake and appreciate that my comments were hurtful. I have therefore deleted my tweet, agreed to pay substantial damages and legal costs.”

Rita Simons (Roxy Mitchell)

Rita Simons became a fan favourite in 2007, when her character Roxy Mitchell arrived on the square with sister Ronnie.

Roxy soon settled into life in Walford and became the owner of The Queen Vic in 2010, before she and Ronnie sadly died in a tragic pool accident in 2017.

Away from the limelight, Rita has starred in a number of TV series and films since leaving EastEnders, including I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and The Krays: Dead Man Walking.

She is not the only famous star in her family either, as her uncle is none other than The Apprentice legend himself, Lord Alan Sugar.

Speaking to The Mirror about her famous uncle, Rita said: “He’s still straight-talking, but he’s a lot kinder” and “He loves all his grandkids and loves family time.”

In her personal life, Rita was also previously married to her childhood sweetheart Theo Silveston, who she had known since she was 19 years old.

The couple tied the knot in 2004 and welcomed their twin daughters Jaimee and Maiya in 2006.

However in 2021, Rita confirmed that she and Theo had divorced, with Rita’s representative saying in a statement: “Rita and Theo have been separated for almost two years and Theo moved out of the family home some time ago.

“The split has been a big change for Rita, but she knows it’s the right decision.”

Earlier this year, Rita revealed she’d had a secret hysterectomy after bad periods caused a major spike in her OCD and anxiety, with a doctor telling her the operation was “the only option”.

Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale)

Adam Woodyatt is another of the EastEnders OGs, after appearing in the soap since its first episode in 1985.

During that time his character has faced storylines including the murder of his daughter Lucy, flings with fellow residents and heartbreak, as well as owning The Queen Vic pub in 2020.

However after departing the soap in the same year, he has since taken part in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and in theatre production, Looking Good Dead.

Adam was also previously married to Beverley Sharp from 1998 to 2019, with who he welcomed two children.

The actor also showcased an incredible transformation after losing over three stone in weight recently.

He has since revealed that giving up drinking is the secret behind his incredible weight loss transformation – along with cycling.

Speaking to The Mirror, Adam said: “With giving up alcohol, the weight drops off and because the weight dropped it was easier to cycle. So it was easier to stay fit.”

Despite the huge impact that giving up alcohol has had on his weight loss, Adam added that he has not made ‘a big fuss of it’, saying: “Everyone’s different. For me, giving up alcohol was the right thing to do.

“I’m not going to turn around and say that’s it forever, that I’m never ever going to drink again.

“But at this point in my life, yeah, I’m quite happy not drinking. And the result is I’ve lost about three stone in weight.”

The actor also revealed that he was introduced to cycling by EastEnders co-star Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning in the soap, describing the exercise as an amazing “escape from reality.”

He also explained in his Mirror interview that he feels ‘100 per cent better’, with the star spending most of his life outdoors as he travels the UK in his motorhome.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk