Two EastEnders legends to make shock ‘comeback’ next year!

EastEnders
(Image credit: BBC)

Lofy and Mary The Punk are apparently going to return after the death of Dr Legg

Lofty and Mary The Punk, two of the soap’s most famous characters, are set to make a surprise return to EastEnders next year.

The duo, played by Tom Watt and Linda Davidson, will reportedly return as Lofty and Mary following the death of another legendary character on the show, Dr Harold Legg (played by Leonard Fenton), who came back in October.

EastEnders favourites Tom Watt (who played Lofty) and Linda Davidson (Mary The Punk) - pictured here on Good Morning Britain back in 2015 - look set for a Walford return

EastEnders favourites Tom Watt (who played Lofty) and Linda Davidson (Mary The Punk) - pictured here on Good Morning Britain back in 2015 - look set for a Walford return

Mary and Lofty, who haven’t been seen in EastEnders for 30 years, were both among the show’s early line-up.

A source on the soap reportedly told The Sun: “Lofty and Mary The Punk are two of the most memorable characters of the original set of stars.

“It’s staggering to think it’s been more than 30 years since they were last on the Square but soap fans will be delighted to hear of their comeback.

“Regular viewers will know Dr Legg’s health is bad and it’s thought his death will play out in February next year, and these two will be back around the time of his funeral.”

When EastEnders first hit our screens in 1985, Mary Smith, aka Mary the Punk, was one of the show’s most popular characters. She left Walford in 1988 on a bus!

Meanwhile, Lofty was loved by millions of fans. Talking about his time on EastEnders, Tom, who popped up in Doctors in 2009, once told us: “I get the feeling that people think I’m ashamed of EastEnders; like it’s some dirty thing in my past.

"But I had a fantastic time on that show and Lofty was loved by nobody more than the person who played him. I cannot think of anybody who had a better character to play.” 

EastEnders continues on BBC1.

Tom and Linda pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


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