Eastenders: 16/05/16 - 20/05/16

[Cher.L]

The Mitchells are reunited as Peggy bids her emotional farewell to Walford...

Soap's number on family faces its most tragic chapter this week, as the legandary Peggy Mitchell passes away, just after son Grant arrives to be with her. This is no tender reunion for the clan, however, as Grant arrives in Walford furious that Peggy's sad secret has been kept from him - and that he has been denied the chance to spend more time with her. Brothers Phil and Grant are later united, through - both upset that poorly Peggy has stopped recieving treatment that could prolong her life. But while she tells them she's ready to face death, it's facing her sons who are torn up with grief and fury that's the big battle for Peggy. "Grant and Phil are in turmoil and they are lashing out at each other - and at Peggy!" says our Eastenders insider. "They have always been mother's boys and they worship Peggy, despite the fact they've spent most of their lives putting her through hell. Life without their mum is just unimaginable for the brothers. They may be hard men, but they got that from their mum." While her boys are struggeling, Mitchell matriarch Peggy is calmer that she's felt in a long time. Being back in Walford is closure for Peggy, and she intends to spend her time saying a proper goodbye to the people and places that mean the most to her. Of course, it's the Queen Vic where Peggy spent her most memorable years, and that bar was the battle ground of many Mitchell dramas. But as she walks into the pub, and takes a moment to drink in the various sight and sounds of her beloved boozer , Peggy feels at home again. The Carters treat Peggy with the respect she deserves as the true queen of the Vic, and she shares a laugh with Shirley, some banter with Mick and a touching chat with Linda. Of course, not all Peggy's memories of the Vic area happy ones, which makes it important to her that she says a proper goodbye to the old girl - and lays some ghosts of her past to rest. "Don't forget, this is the pace where she found out Frank and Pat were having an affair behind her back, where Archie was murdered, and where she fought breast cancer the first time," our Mole reminds us. "All those tears, all that heartache , it feels like a million years ago to Peggy. What's left is the place where she ruled the roost, kept the community going, and told many enemies to, "Get outta my pub!'. It's her history and it's Mitchell history - she's left her mark on the place forever." Alas, the end is near for Peggy, but that doesn't mean she's lost any of her steel. Cross at her sons' mollycoddling of her, she gives them a dressing down in the pub cellar. Then, after telling current landlady Linda to give all the punters a glass of champagne on her, Peggy slips off, making a true end of an era. "She's said her goodbyes , and she's made her peace with people in the Square, such as Stacey - who she shares an emotional heart-to-heart with - and now she's ready to go," reveals our Spy. "She's so happy to have both her sons beside her. For Peggy Mitchell, it's always been about family, and it' now up to her boys to step up and take the family into the next chapter..."

[thms]

pmsl wow

bye pegs

[Cher.L]

Albert Square legend Ross Kemp lifts the lid on Grant's emotional return...
"Grant hasn't changed - you won't be seeing much of his sensitive side!"

we'll admit that we have been waiting for Grant Mitchell to march back into Walford for years now, but the last thing any of us wanted was for him to be returning for mum Peggy's tragic death. Saying goodbye to the Mitchell martriach is hard for everyone, and sons Phil and Grant will become more volatile than ever in the face of her demise. But the truth is that if Dame Barbara Windsor hadn't asked to kill of Peggy, we might not be welcoming actor Ross Kemp back at all...

Interview and Question time

Welcome back, Ross! Is it true that we owe your return to Dame Barbara?
It is. Barbara approached me to say she was leaving Eastenders and that the time was right for her. She was on holiday at the time, and so was i. She asked if i'd come back for Peggy's exit and, due to the nature of what i do and how much i am out of the country, i had to check the dates. But it all worked out for my schedule so i thought, "why not?".

You work in documentary film-making now - was it daunting to be acting again?
There's always that worry about if you con do it again! I've been doing something very different for 10 years now so there was a natural concern - i'd say maybe even a fear of letting people down. The most overwhelming thing for me, when i walked back on to set, was actually how little had changed. Ans with the help of Barbara, Steve McFadden [Phil] and Letitia Dean [Sharon], it was great. We had a lot of history together and a to of respect for each other, too.

People are looking forward to seeing Phil and Grant together again. What's that dynamic going to be like?
They're not going to get on to start with - there's going to be an element of conflict. I think Steve has been the best actor in the soap for the past 30-odd years. His storylines have been so painful and Steve is very deserves credit for that. I hope Phil and Grant will et back together at the end, though. The Mitchell brothers ride again!

We are devastated that Peggy is going to die. How is Grant going to react to the tragedy?
Vary badly! I think he's quite immature when it comes to stuff like that. It's going to cause some problems between him and Phil. Grant hasn't changed - you'll see more of his violent side and less of his sensitive side. There will be lots of ragging, crying and slamming of doors, but they'll muddle through. I think Phil will become the new patriarch of the Mitchells.

The Mitchells are such an iconic soap family - why do you think people have responded to Peggy, Phil and Grant so positively?[/B[
I guess we probably look the part, do good casting! Steve and i are actors who get on with each other, and we worked together to build a family in Eastenders - but Phil and Grant have one of the most loved actresses in the country as their mother, Barbara is so iconic and she's the classic East End mum. I also think people have a natural affinity to brothers and siblings. These are two tough brothers who will fight on behalf of their mother and family reputation.

What's you favourite ever Grant and Peggy scene?
There was one where she had to hit me and i had to hit her back. I hated the idea that Grant would hit his mum. When we filmed it, i only slightly tapped Barbara - but she went back at me like she'd been hit by Mike Tyson and John Wayne at the same time! That was always funny. I love all the tender and loving stuff we did, too. It was very emotional shooting the last scenes because we knew that Barbara wasn't coming back. There's a lovely scene where she comes out of the pub, says goodbye to it and puts her arms through Phil and Grant's arms and we walk off through the square. That was really nice to film.

We hear that Grant might have some time for a bit of romance while he's back...
He has a little dalliance with someone in the Square! But i don't want to spoil anything.

What's been your favourite Grant storyline of all time?
There are so many! It has to be Tiffanygate or Sharongate, i guess. I was working with great actors and those stories generated a lot of viewers. I also loved it when the Mitchell brothers got to go abroad. There was a funny one written by Tony Jordan, where Phil and Grant thought they were in France, but they weren't. Then there was Grant's big exit when the car went into the Thames. That was a highly charged day! I've done some great scenes with Steve and i'm very lucky to have worked with him.

It's sad to be saying goodbye to Barbara on Eastenders. What has been the best thing about working with her?
[I]It has been great to work with her, she is such a lovely lady, Barbara loves a bit of a gossip and a chat - and she always looks immaculate.

[Cher.L]

Terror for the Beals as he turns violent again...

Just when Ian ad Jane thought they'd put the horror of poor Lucy's death behind them, killer Bobby lashes out again this week! The nightmare unfolds after the unruly boy returns from boarding school and quickly goes ballistic, smashing up Jane's car with his hockey stick. But as events take an even more sinister turn, the Beale family is changed forever... "Sending Bobby away had done nothing to fix his temper," explains our Eastenders Insider. "It's like a red rag to a bull when he doesn't get his own way, and his loved ones always seem to pay the price. Ian and Jane need to face facts - Bobby is completely out of control!" The irony of the situation is that Ian is sacrificing his livelihood to pay for his son's school fees. The desperate dad was certain that sending Bobby off to the discipline institution was the only way to stabilise his anger issues. But to secure his boy a place, Ian had no choice but to sell his beloved restaurant. Since then, however, the Square stalwart has received nothing but grief from the local market traders. they're livid with him for accepting and offer from a discount supermarket chain CosMart, and have mounted a campaign against the sale. Ian has so far remained firm in his decision, but all it takes this week is a little word from Peggy Mitchell - and the fella is in a right pickle over what to do! "Leave it to Peggy to be the voice for reason in Ian's head," grins our Source. "Deep down he knows that selling Beales is a mistake, but his first priority must be Bobby's welfare. As far as Ian is concerned, his school is down doing him the world of good." Bearing that in mind, the troubled father finds himself confiding in Peggy's son, Phil. Given their fraught history, the two men are never going to be the best of friends - but when Ian finds out the truth about Peggy's illness, the pair share a heart-to-heart. It's during their chat that Ian shares the reasons for selling Beales, and Phil offers his own advice on the matter. But have his words done enough to change Ian's mind? Meanwhile, Bobby's back in Walford and after overhearing a conversation between Jane and Sharon, he's incandescent with rage. Seeing red, the boy picks up his hockey stick and proceeds to batter his mum's motor. The story doesn't end there, though, as all hell breaks loose for the Beales with terrible consequences. Would Bobby strike out another family member, just as he did his half-sister Lucy?

[Cher.L]

Lauren is heading home, and Steven Beale isn't far behind...

Rumours of an explosive new storyline for the Beale family are continuing to emerge - with the latest report claiming that Ian's bonkers stepson Steven is to return to Walford! Whispers suggest that actor Aaron Sidwell - who played the troubled fella between 2007 and 2008 - is already filming with Eastenders, for what is sure too be a dramatic reunion for the troubled clan... "Ian and Jane better buckle up for another roller-coster ride!" reckons our Square Insider. "their nightmare is far from over - but is Steven back to help them, or does he plan to make things ever worse?" The soap's bosses are keeping tight-lipped on on whether the gossip is true. But with life set to take yet another devastating turn for the Beales after killer Bobby stakes again, will the lad's outburst prove to be the catalyst for Steven's unexpected return? We already know that stars John Partridge and Lynda Baron are returning to the show to reprise their roles as Jane's mother Linda and Jane's brother Christian. And judging by a recent hint from John, his screen sister is going to need every bit of support that she can get. "Obviously, there is a long and ongoing storyline with the Beale family and the whole 'Who killed Lucy?' threat," he explains. "Christian comes back to look after his sister Jane for what is going to be a very big year for them all." Also on her way back to Walford is Lauren Branning, who is currently living in New Zealand with Ian's son Peter and their baby boy, Loiue. Viewers will remember that it was Steven whom the lovebirds went to stay with when they emigrated in February 2015 - so will his shock comeback coincide Lauren's as she heads home to the Square? And what about Peter? "It's a dramatic return," teases actress Jacqueline Jossa, who is set to reprise the role following her maternity leave. "It's not your average Eastenders thing where characters are screaming and shouting at each other, but it will definitely shock people." If rumours are to believed, Lauren - and possibly Steven - will be back on our screens very soon. Watch this space!

[lemons]

thanks for the updates an eventful week for sure

[Cher.L]

Danniella Westbrook has returned filming as Sam Mitchell

Here's your first look at good-time girl Sam Mitchell - back where she belongs in Albert Square. Star Danniella Westbrook, the original actress to play Phil and Grant's troublesome younger sister, is thrilled to be working with Eastenders again as the soap films the funeral of the Mitchell siblings' mother Peggy.... "First day back at work and loving every second!" posted chuffed mum-of-two Danniella on Instergram. The Celebrity Big Brother contestant was recently snapped at the hairdressers' in preparation for her Eastenders transformation. And doesn't she look the part? With that blonde hair and dazzling smile, Danniella has never looked more like Peggy's daughter! Viewers can expect to see Danniella on screen in a few weeks' time, where she'll join Steve McFadden [Phil], Ross Kemp [Grant], and the rest of the Mitchells to give Peggy the send-off she rightly deserves.

[Cher.L]

But what will Louise have to say about it?

Walford newcomer Shakil makes it very clear which, Walford girl he has the hots for this week, when he leans in for a kiss with Bex! Sonia's daughter has been lusting after the lad ever since he arrived in Walford to see loved ones Carmel and Kush recently. But with Louise Mitchell also having her eye on Shakil, their friendship has been pushed to breaking point! It doesn't look as if the tension between the two girls is going to die down any time soon once Shakil makes a beeline for Bex. As their eyes meet across the Vic, sparks fly when the bold fella moves in for a peck. And from the look on Bex's face, it's clear that he has taken her by surprise. Is she pleased that Shakil has chosen her - or more worried about what Louise will have to say when she finds out??

Also this week.....

Kyle is shocked when he makes a big discovery - but what is it?

[Cher.L]

Monday 16th May 2015

• The women in Phil's life force him to make an admission...
• The Mitchell brothers are reunited - as Grant returns!
• After a chat with Peggy, Stacey feels more positive about her life.

Tuesday 17th May 2016

• Grant turns to an old flame - will things get passionate?
• Tension builds and sparks fly between Grant and Phil...
• Walford will never be the same again as Peggy dies.

Wednesday 18th May 2016

• NO EPISODE!!

Thursday 19th May 2016

• Albert Square is shattered folllowing Peggy's passing...
• Bobby's fury rears its ugly head when he learns some bad news!
• Reccent events cause Stacey to have doubts about her wedding.

Friday 20th May 2016

• Bex and Shakil grow closer, but how will infatuated Louise react?
• Will Stacey and Martin get married without a hitch?
• Bobby loses his temper again - and all hell breaks loose...

• The Mitchell clan try to come to terms with thier tragic loss!
• The Beales are also struggling to cope with recent events...
• ....but can Ian and Jane mend the damage that's been done?

[Gina]

LAUREN! oh my god SHES MY FAVE
im so excitged when does that happebn/? and sam back omg