EastEnders star Linda Davidson teases return of 'Punk Mary'... as Tom Watt admits it was 'right' to reprise the role of Lofty for Dr Legg's funeral
EastEnders star Linda Davidson has admitted it was 'bonkers' returning to the role of 'Punk Mary' after 30 years away, as she reunites with Tom Watt's Lofty for Dr Legg's funeral.
Speaking on Monday's Lorraine the former actress, 54, told Christine Lampard that her role was originally little more than a silent cameo, while Tom, 63, said on This Morning it was 'right' that the character return.
It comes as Mary and Lofty will be brought back together in Walford as they both attend the funeral of original soap favourite Dr Legg, who left viewers in tears as he passed away in Friday's show.
Back! EastEnders star Linda Davidson has teased her 'bonkers' return to Albert Square, as she returns to the soap with Tom Watt's Lofty (right) for Dr Legg's funeral
Linda told Christine that she was excited to return to EastEnders after three decades away, with Mary heading back to Walford following Dr Legg's death last week.
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She explained: 'It was totally bonkers, 30 years had passed but it just felt like nothing. I don’t act anymore and the Creative Director John Yorke phoned me up and said ''would Mary go and be in the congregation at the synagogue with no lines'' and I said ''oh that would be a lovely tribute.''
'And then he phoned me back and said we've given her a couple of lines. and then I got the scripts and they've given me loads of scenes.'
Throwback: Linda, 54, told Christine Lampard on Lorraine that she was originally only set to appear in a silent cameo, as she reprised her role as 'Punk Mary' (right in 1985)
Open: She also admitted that when she signed up for the role, none of the cast knew that EastEnders would become such a TV institution
Looking back on Mary's stint on the Square - where she was every inch a woman of the 80s East End with her punk look - Linda added that they never expected to the soap to grow into the TV institution it is today.
'We were all contracted for six months and the BBC called it a bi-weekly drama, so we didn't know we were in a soap until all the press went out, all of a sudden they started calling it a soap and we said oh my god we're in a soap!' she said.
'She was a fantastic character to play and she was really well written, she came about because [creator] Tony Holland was walking in the East End and he saw a young woman pushing a pram with a mohawk and a miniskirt.
'It was such a poignant image of a young woman with such an aggressive look but such love for her child and so she created the character based on that image.'
Stand-out: Linda also revealed that her character was based on a real-life punk mother that the soap's creator Tony Holland saw while walking through the East End
Big switch: Since leaving the role Linda added that she has given up acting to pursue a career in technology and website development
Passionate: The star also admitted she wouldn't rule out reprising her role on the soap again
Chat: She said: 'I absolutely loved it, but my current fantasy is that Annie her daughter goes back into it full time, and Mary pops back in for a cup of tea every now and again'
Linda also told Christine that in recent years she have decided to give up acting to focus on a career in technology, having also worked as a writer for BBC websites and Tomorrow's World.
She added: 'I carried on acting for years, so I was writing for Tomorrow's World and they were launching something called a website and I got engulfed with the power of communication and I had a conversation with June [Brown who plays Dot Cotton] she's been so generous with her love and time for me, but I said I think I'm going to stop acting and do this thing.'
When asked whether she would consider reprising her role as Mary long-term, Linda admitted: 'I absolutely loved it, but my current fantasy is that Annie her daughter goes back into it full time, and Mary pops back in for a cup of tea every now and again, then I wouldn't have to give up my job!'
Iconic: Linda will make a one-off appearance in the soap on Tuesday night, as a guest for Dr Legg's funeral
Chic: She also showcased her eclectic sense of style on the TV appearance, sporting a grey leather jacket and flared trousers
Ageless: She also looked far younger that her years with a platinum blonde cropped style and statement red lip
Mary will be seen back in EastEnders on Tuesday night for one episode, as she is among a slew of guests in attendance for Dr Legg's funeral, after he passed away last week with close friend Dot at his side.
Meanwhile Lofty actor Tom also spoke about his return to the show on This Morning, telling hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that he loved the chance to head back to Albert Square.
He said: 'It was great! Running into people that I hadn't seen for a while, like Jilly [Taylforth who plays Kathy Beale] Letitia [Dean who plays Sharon Watts] and Len Fenton [Dr Legg] who is amazing.'
He's back: Meanwhile Tom Watt - who played Lofty Holloway (right during his stint) appeared on This Morning to talk about reprising his role
Important: The actor told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford it felt 'right' that Lofty was a guest at Dr Legg's funeral, due to their close bond on the soap
Return? The soap actor then hinted that he would be open to reprising the role of Lofty again in the future, having spent many years combining acting with work as a sports journalist
Views: He said: 'It was really well-written absolutely the right thing that Lofty was there for the funeral'
Tom then explained that it was the most important that Lofty attend Dr Legg's funeral as they formed such a close bond on the soap.
'Lofty was just discharged from the army because of asthma so having the GP downstairs, he was a bit of a lost soul after he came out of the army, and I think Dr Legg was a very big deal in his life, the stable thing living downstairs,' he said.
The soap actor then hinted that he would be open to reprising the role of Lofty again in the future, having spent many years combining acting with work as a sports journalist.
He said: 'I really enjoyed going back to do it, acting's something I love doing I'm just not great waiting for the phone to ring and I'm out of town.
'They came along with this and I've got to say it wasn't just ''oh let's get someone from the past back,'' it was really well-written absolutely the right thing that Lofty was there for the funeral.'
EastEnders airs Lofty and Mary's returns on Tuesday 19th February at 7:30pm on BBC One.
They'll be back! Lofty and Mary's return to EastEnders (above) will air on Tuesday 19th February at 7:30pm on BBC One
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