Former EastEnders star admits THIS is the reason they'll never return to the soap

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Former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon confessed the brilliant reason that she won't be reprising her role as Walford's Dawn Sawnn...

Ex EastEnders actress Kara Tointon has revealed that she won't be making a comeback to the soap because she believes her character could be dead.

The actress, who was last seen on screen sailing off into the sunset with partner Garry Hobbs in 2009, has told Digital Spy that while she loved her four year stint on the soap, she doesn't have any plans to ever go back.

Kara Tointon, EastEnders, The Halcyon

Kara has joked that she doesn't even know if her EastEnders character is even still a live

When asked about what is stopping her from going back to EastEnders, Kara admitted: "Just that it has been about 10 years, and I don't know if my character is even still alive to be honest.

"I've really enjoyed doing lots of different things so I don't see me going back. I think my time there was enough."

EASTENDERS, Kara Tointon

Kara played the role of Dawn in EastEnders for 4 years

Kara played the role of Dawn Swann from 2005 to 2009 and certainly made the most of her four years in Albert Square.

Dawn was part of the much-loved Miller family, and during her time in Walford she got held hostage by Mad May and former fling Rob and gave birth to daughter Summer on the London Underground.

She also had a relationship with Jase Dyer, nearly died in a gas explosion, and even had an affair with Phil Mitchell.

A photo posted by on

Since her time in EastEnders, Kara went on to star in ITV Sunday night drama Mr Selfridge and also was crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, and most recently has welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world.

Kara and her Norwegian-born fiancee, Marius Jensen, became parents at the end of last year when little baby Frey was born, amazingly arriving on his due date of 22nd November.

EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Picture credits: Kara pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock, all others BBC

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.