BBC bosses have reportedly signed up a new EastEnders actor who is set to move to Walford in the new year – and fans may recognise him from his work with Hollywood legend Brad Pitt.
New pictures show gangster movie star Alan Ford walking on set as TV bosses filmed what is thought to be the funeral of fan-favourite Aunt Sal. The Snatch actor is thought to be a “great signing” by producers who will join the send-off for Peggy Mitchell’s sister-in-law in new scenes that will hit the airwaves in 2024.
In addition to sharing the screen with the Hollywood legend on Lock, Stock and Two smoking Barrels, Alan has also worked on a series of well-known soaps including The Bill. The 85-year-old is set for a “major new storyline” according to insiders.
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A source revealed to The Sun: “Alan’s a great signing by bosses. He’s a huge star who fans will be delighted to see on the soap. His character has a long connection to the Mitchells.”
The insider told the publication, who obtained images of the established actor filming scenes alongside the Mitchel family: “Aunt Sal was a stalwart of the soap and she’ll be done proud with the scenes.” But fans will be surprised to know this isn’t the first time Alan has starred in EastEnders.
The star also made one appearance on the long-running soap back in 1986 as a conman called Sam Sangers. His character had planned to con Debbie Wilkins, and it’s not yet known if he will be reprising the rile.
Aunt Sal was last seen in Walford for Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell’s funeral in 2017 where she berated their mother Glenda for abandoning them as children. Since then, she has been mentioned on-screen with Phil said to have been hiding in her holiday home last year when he was on the run from the police.
But in real life, the actress Anna Karen died in a house fire in London last year. It is thought the final scenes will bring closure for her character following her tragic death.
At the time, the soap paid tribute to her in a touching statement. It read: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away.
“Anna created a sharp, quick witted and extremely popular character in Aunt Sal that the audience will never forget, just as those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness, fun and good humour. Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.”
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It comes as viewers continue to try and work out who the Christmas killer is and who will die at their fateful hands. At the start of the year, the soap teased a grisly end for one male character on the show, with six suspects spotted at the scene of his death.
The six possible killers include Stacey Slater, Sharon Watts, Linda Carter, Denise Fox, Kathy Beale and Suki Panesar. But one popular theory is that the murderer is not one of the six stars.
In the Christmas scene, fans think Sharon looks up as if she’s talking to someone in front of her when she declares the mystery man dead. Fans will have to stay tuned to see who the mystery murderer could be.
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