FRIENDS to the end
WALFORD ORIGINALS LOFTY AND MARY JOIN DOT AS SHE SAYS GOODBYE TO DR LEGG…
When I walked past No 23, I hadn’t done that in 30 years!” LINDA
It’s a sad day in Walford this week, as Dr Harold Legg’s loved ones gather to pay their final respects to the much-loved medic. Bringing Dot comfort on the day are her old friends Lofty Holloway and Mary Smith, with actors Tom Watt and Linda Davidson returning to their roles for the first time in three decades.
“It was so lovely to be back, and it felt like we just picked up where we left off 30 years ago,” says Tom.
“And of course we got to work with the legend June Brown [Dot] again, which was just wonderful,” adds Linda.
As the emotional week begins, it’s Dot who plans to lead the mourners and deliver the emotional eulogy. However, the night before the sad occasion, grieving Dot is up all night, frantically searching for her late friend’s medallion and as a result, makes herself ill with exhaustion.
So instead, her granddaughter Sonia stands in to give Dot’s heartfelt speech and only later, in the Vic, is the lady herself able to say goodbye. Having been saddened that few Walford residents seemed interested in remembering Dr Legg, Dot is delighted when the wake brings those who loved him together. And it’s particularly delightful that Lofty and Mary turn up, having attended the service, and they all reminisce about old times – in a fitting tribute to the kind man who served the community.
As Inside Soap joins Linda and Tom for a chat, they are also in a nostalgic mood, discussing 1980s fame, life
after Walford, and what made them decide to return to the place they once called home for this special occasion…
What was it like to walk back on to Albert Square?
Linda It felt amazing! We had such a laugh, though, didn’t we, Tom? When I walked past No 23, where Mary lived, that was the first time I’d done that in 30 years! The Eastenders team was quite clever because they brought us in that first day to do a photo shoot, which got over the whole ‘Oh my God’ thing. It was a bit overwhelming.
Was it an easy decision to return to Walford? Or did you need to be persuaded?
Linda I’m friends with [show boss] John Yorke, and he came to see me for lunch. I said no, initially – because I always do! – but then he asked me to be in the congregation at the synagogue at Dr Legg’s funeral. So I said yes, and John told me that Mary had “a few” lines. Then I saw the script…
Tom I got a call from my agent. I’m in the middle of writing a book, so it was a really good time because that’s extremely lonely! John called me and was explaining the story. And after 90 seconds, I said, “Yes, that sounds great!” Then John kept trying to convince me, and I had to go, “I did say yes about five minutes ago!”
What has Lofty been up to since 1988, Tom?
Tom Well, Lofty learnt the trade at the Vic, and it wasn’t lost on him. He’s gone and got his own pub – more than one in fact. He’s doing all right for himself. Whether he has a family doesn’t come up, but given what happened with Michelle, I think he’s moved on. In my head, he’s concentrating on work.
Linda, what is Mary like these days?
Linda She looks a lot like me! It’s funny because I look more like her now than I did then! She’s a successful woman and returns with her daughter, Annie, who is now 34. That was lovely. We have a lovely, warm actress called Marilyn O’brien playing Annie, but
I did meet up with Samantha Crown, who played Annie in the 80s, a few years ago.
She recently had a baby – her mum sent me pictures over Christmas, which was lovely.
How was it being reunited with the cast who were there during your time?
Tom It was great, you don’t have to do the whole ‘What have you been doing?’ thing – you just start taking the mick again! I have a scene where Lofty turns up at Sharon’s house. And for Letitia Dean [aka Sharon], it must’ve been fantastic, because she was so genuinely thrilled to see me, she didn’t have to act [laughs].
Linda When Tom and Letitia were filming that scene, all I could hear were cackles and then the director saying, “Quiet, please, we’re going for a shot” and then those two wetting themselves again! It was lovely to see Gillian Taylforth [Kathy], Len Fenton [Dr Legg] and June Brown [Dot].
Were you surprised by the reaction to you going back? Tom
I thought it was supposed to be a secret! Even though it had been in The Sun, I didn’t dare talk about it!
Linda It’s been mad! I’d have thought the only ones who’d be interested would be Inside Soap! But I’ve been completely overwhelmed! The night it airs, we might be trending on
Twitter – #Maryandlofty!
Would you ever be tempted to return for a longer stint? Linda
I love my job. I work in digital technology and data information for Jamie Oliver’s website. I can’t say I haven’t fantasised about what
Letitia Dean was so pleased to see me, she didn’t have to act!” TOM
it would be like, but I don’t think the answer is yes right now. It might be in the future.
Tom I really like acting, and it’s not that I’m doing sports reporting or writing because I don’t like acting. It’s just that I’m not great at waiting for the phone to ring! I’ve had a really good time here, so there will always be a bit of room for acting. Mind you, they work a lot harder than we did back then – we only made two episodes a week!