List of EastEnders characters (1987)

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1987, by order of first appearance.

Tina Hopkins

Tina Hopkins
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Eleanor Rhodes
First appearance 5 February 1987
Last appearance 10 September 1987
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Student

Tina Hopkins, played by Eleanor Rhodes, is introduced as Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) girlfriend in February 1987. Ian’s friend Kelvin Carpenter (Paul J. Medford) takes a shine to Tina and makes several passes at her, which she shuns.

Tina gets a job working at Naima Jeffery’s (Shreela Ghosh) grocery store, the First til Last, and by May 1987 she and Ian decide that they want to move in together. They manage to persuade Kelvin to rent them one of his father’s flats, and although their parents’ are against it, they move in with each other in July 1987.

Things do not go well for the couple. They find it difficult to pay the rent and when money goes missing from the cash register at Tina’s workplace, Naima accuses her of stealing it (it was actually one of Mary Smith’s (Linda Davidson) wayward friends named Sandra). Tina eventually manages to clear her name with the help of Rod Norman (Christopher McHallem), who sets a trap for the real thief.

Shortly after, Tina’s parents arrive in Walford on an impromptu visit from Ilford. They let themselves into Tina’s flat and are horrified to discover what a mess it is in. When they discover that Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) and Magda Czajkowski (Kathryn Apanowicz) live next door in an adjoining room, they decide that Tina cannot remain living there. Despite Tina’s protests, they pack her bags and drag her back to Ilford to live with them in September 1987. Tina is not seen again.

Emine Osman

Emine Osman
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Pelin Ahmet
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 26 February 1987
Last appearance 29 March 1988
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Occupation Student

Emine Osman, played by Pelin Ahmet, is the daughter of Mehmet (Haluk Bilginer) and Guizin Osman (Ishia Bennison). She is first seen on screen in February 1987. Her father gambles away their home and then disappears, so Emine, her mother, and her two brothers, Murat (Eddie Izzet) and Rayif (Billy Hassan), are forced to move in with Mehmet's brother Ali (Nejdet Salih) and his wife Sue (Sandy Ratcliff).

Emine and her siblings play pranks and get into trouble, often letting their pet boa constrictor (named Crush) loose to scare the residents of the Square. The Osman children later become friendly with Luke (Henry Power) and Sophie Willmott-Brown (Natasha Knight). They move out of the Square in May that year when their father returns, but occasionally show up on the Square to cause more trouble for their parents.

In November 1987, Guizin hears that Emine has been injured by a firework, in a storyline that hoped to highlight the dangers of children playing with fireworks. Emine's last appearance is in March 1988, but after her parents have a huge argument, Emine and the rest of her family move to Northern Cyprus in March 1989.

Rayif Osman

Rayif Osman
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Billy Hassan
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 26 February 1987
Last appearance 29 March 1988
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Occupation Student

Rayif Osman, played by Billy Hassan, is the elder son of Mehmet (Haluk Bilginer) and Guizin Osman (Ishia Bennison). He is first seen on screen in February 1987. Rayif, his mother, sister Emine (Pelin Ahmet) and brother Murat (Eddie Izzet) are all forced to move in with Mehmet's brother Ali (Nejdet Salihand) his wife Sue (Sandy Ratcliff), after Mehmet gambles away their home and then disappears.

Rayif and his siblings play pranks and get into trouble, often letting their pet boa constrictor (named Crush) loose to scare the residents of the Square. They also have a penchant for playing on arcade games and fruit machines, and they occasionally sneak away to play on them against their mother's wishes.

The Osman children later become friendly with Luke (Henry Power) and Sophie Willmott-Brown (Natasha Knight). They move out of the Square in May that year when their father returns, but occasionally show up on the Square to cause more trouble for their parents.

Rayif's last appearance is in March 1988, but after his parents have an argument, Rayif and the rest of his family move to Northern Cyprus in March 1989.

Murat Osman

Murat Osman
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Eddie Izzet
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 26 February 1987
Last appearance 29 March 1988
Classification Former; recurring

Murat Osman, played by Eddie Izzet, is the son of Mehmet (Haluk Bilginer) and Guizin Osman (Ishia Bennison). He is first seen on screen in February 1987 after his father gambles away their home and then disappears, so Murat, his mother, sister Emine (Pelin Ahmet) and brother Rayif (Billy Hassan), are forced to move in with Mehmet's brother Ali (Nejdet Salihand) his wife Sue (Sandy Ratcliff). Murat is the youngest of the three children.

Murat and his siblings play pranks and get into trouble, often letting their pet boa constrictor (named Crush) loose to scare the residents of the Square. The Osman children later become friendly with Luke (Henry Power) and Sophie Willmott-Brown (Natasha Knight). They move out of the Square in May that year when their father returns, but occasionally show up on the Square to cause more trouble for their parents.

Murat's last appearance is in March 1988, but after his parents have an argument, Murat and the rest of his family move to Northern Cyprus in March 1989.

Luke Willmott-Brown

Luke Willmott-Brown
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Henry Power
Duration 1987, 1992
First appearance 31 March 1987
Last appearance 14 January 1992
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Occupation Student

Luke Willmott-Brown, played by Henry Power, is the young son of rapist James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde). He also has a sister called Sophie (Natasha Knight). He is first seen visiting his father in March 1987, but goes back to live with his mother in July. During his stay, he and his sister are friendly with Mehmet (Haluk Bilginer) and Guizin Osman's (Ishia Bennison) children, Emine (Pelin Ahmet), Rayif (Billy Hassan) and Murat (Eddie Izzet).

He is later seen in January 1992, visiting his father after his release from prison. This is his last appearance.

Sophie Willmott-Brown

Sophie Willmott-Brown
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Natasha Knight
Duration 1987, 1992
First appearance 31 March 1987
Last appearance 14 January 1992
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Occupation Student

Sophie Willmott-Brown, played by Natasha Knight, is the young daughter of rapist James Willmott-Brown. She also has a brother called Luke. She is first seen visiting her father in March 1987, but goes back to live with her mother in July. During her stay, she and her brother are friendly with Mehmet (Haluk Bilginer) and Guizin Osman's (Ishia Bennison) children, Emine (Pelin Ahmet), Rayif (Billy Hassan) and Murat (Eddie Izzet).

She is later seen in January 1992, visiting her father after his release from prison. This is her last appearance.

June Watkins

June Watkins
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Madaline Blakeney
First appearance 9 April 1987
Last appearance 16 April 1987
Classification Former; guest

June Watkins, played by Madaline Blakeney, is the godmother of Kathy Beale's (Gillian Taylforth) daughter Donna Ludlow (Matilda Ziegler). Kathy had given Donna up for adoption shortly after her birth, as she was conceived from rape. June brings Kathy news that Donna wants to make contact with her, but tells her that it is her decision. Kathy decides not to see Donna.[1][2]

Reg Sparrow

Reg Sparrow
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Richard Ireson
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 14 April 1987
Last appearance 27 October 1988
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Brewery area manager

Reg Sparrow,[3] played by Richard Ireson, is the area manager for Luxford & Copley brewery following the retirement of James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde). He oversees the running of The Queen Victoria public house, which is being managed by Den Watts (Leslie Grantham).[4] The Vic's profits are floundering following Den's separation from his wife Angie (Anita Dobson). Reg comes to Walford to assess the problem. He wants the money that Den owes the brewery and demands to see the pub's invoices. Den tries to avoid this by steering clear of the pub all day and leaving his bar staff to put Reg off. This plan fails due to Angie, who happily informes Reg where Den keeps all the pub's bookwork, just to spite her husband. Den is forced to sell his car to pay off some of his debt.

Later in the year Sparrow joins Den in one of the Osmans' notorious card games. Den fleeces him and manages to win a vast sum of his money, although he later gives him back half in return for a future favour. Sparrow is partial to monetary bribes and often turns a blind eye to Den's dodgy dealings. In 1988 Pat Wicks (Pam St. Clement) and Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) are forced to bribe Sparrow in order to get him to grant them tenancy at the Vic. After they are instated Sparrow continues to exert his influence over Frank, by persuading him to throw an exuberant birthday party at the Vic in his honour, and then disappearing without paying the bill.

Oxley

Oxley
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Colun Gallivan
Appears on 14 April 1987
Classification Former; guest

Oxley, played by Colun Gallivan, is dubbed the "Walford attacker" when he begins a series of night-time assaults on the women of Walford. Several female residents of Albert Square have encounters with Oxley, but manage to escape before they are harmed. Pat Wicks (Pam St. Clement) isn't so lucky, and she is brutally assaulted in February 1987 and left battered and unconscious in the middle of Albert Square. The police have no luck tracing Oxley, as he leaves no clues as to his identity.

However in April 1987, Oxley's luck runs out when he attempts to attack Debbie Wilkins (Shirley Cheriton) in the launderette and is warded off by her self-defence moves. The police are able to apprehend Oxley and he is arrested and charged.[5]

Magda Czajkowski

Magda Czajkowski
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Kathryn Apanowicz
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 5 May 1987
Last appearance 31 March 1988
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Caterer

Magda "Mags" Czajkowski is played by Kathryn Apanowicz.

Magda was born to a Polish father and a Yorkshire mother. She initially lived in Leeds until she moved to London for a career in catering, where she shared a flat with her business partner, Amanda.

In May 1987, Magda manages to secure herself a catering concession at The Queen Victoria public house, which is where she meets and begins a flirtatious relationship with the married publican, Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). With Den recently separated from his alcoholic wife Angie (Anita Dobson), he is free to actively pursue Magda, which only infuriates his already fragile wife.

Later in the year, Den goes on a trip to Morocco and whilst he is away, Magda starts flirting with barman Simon Wicks (Nick Berry), who subsequently ends the relationship with his girlfriend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) to be with Magda. When Den returns from his extended holiday, he finds that Magda is no longer interested in him. When Den discovers that she is seeing Simon, he physically attacks Simon, sacks him and throws him out of his home in The Vic. A few months later Amanda leaves for Australia and Magda moves to Albert Square, where she rents a flat at 3 Albert Square from Kelvin Carpenter (Paul J. Medford), and manages Symphony Food Catering on her own. With Den now out of the picture, Magda decides she wants a more serious commitment from Simon so she asks him to move into her flat with her, and he agrees.

However, their relationship does not go smoothly. Magda is a bit older than Simon, and his immature tendencies often infuriate her, whilst her complaining infuriates him. Simon has some family upsets over the coming months and Magda fails to support him adequately, so he turns to his former boss, Den, for counsel. On Den's advice, Simon proceeds to pursue other women, and then starts seeing the barmaid Donna Ludlow (Matilda Ziegler) behind Magda's back. By this time Magda is in love with Simon and his rejection hurts her. Den uses this opportunity to gain his revenge on Magda. He feigns mock sympathy for her, then seduces her, but before he gets her into bed, he tells her that he has to go on an errand. He instructs Magda to "get ready" for him, telling her that he will be back soon. He then leaves Magda undressed and waiting in his bed for hours, before instructing Simon's mother, Pat Wicks (Pam St. Clement), to inform her that he is otherwise engaged, leaving her humiliated.

Magda tries to take her mind off things by attempting to purchase a new property, the house that James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde) is selling. However, she receives another setback when James has a better offer and turns her down. After a heart-felt chat with Lou Beale (Anna Wing), Magda decides to cut her losses and leave Walford. She leaves the Square to share a flat with a friend in Fulham in March 1988.

Edie Smith

Edie Smith
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Eileen O'Brien
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 12 May 1987
Last appearance 31 May 1988
Classification Former; regular

Edie Smith, played by Eileen O'Brien is the mother of Mary (Linda Davidson). A religious and strict woman, Edie alienated her daughter so much that she ran away from Stockport to escape her. Mary moved to London after becoming pregnant, and chose not to inform her family about her child. When Mary's father tracks her down and discovers he has a granddaughter, Mary makes him promise not to tell Edie. She worries that her mother will interfere and take over. Her father, Chris (Allan O'Keefe), pays heed to his daughter's wishes for several years. However, when he discovers that Mary had left her daughter Annie alone in her flat to prostitute herself, he decides to take action. He informs Edie and she comes to Walford in May 1987 to sort Mary out. Despite Mary's protests, she takes Annie back to Stockport to live with her, leaving Mary distraught.

With the help of Rod Norman (Christopher McHallem), Mary manages to take control of her life. She contacts her mother to bring Annie back, but Edie keeps refusing. Eventually Mary becomes so depressed that Rod contacts Chris and tells him Mary is considering suicide. A concerned Chris then finally brings Annie home to Mary.

Chris decides to move to London early in 1988 in order to open a haulage company. Things do not go according to plan, and he spends much of his time drinking himself into a stupor. Eventually, Mary contacts her mother to come and help Chris, and the Smith family finally manage to sort out their differences. Shortly after, Edie begins to consider moving to London permanently. This is too much for Mary to bear however, and she begins to rebel against her parents once again. Edie tries to intervene, but Mary is hostile and tells her that she will kill her if she ever tries to take Annie from her again. Shortly after, Mary decides to leave Walford. She takes Annie, and jumps on a bus to destinations unknown. Edie refuses to waste anymore concern on her unruly daughter and she leaves Walford to return to Stockport. Her last appearance was in May 1988.

Graham Clark

Graham Clark
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Gary Webster
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 16 June 1987
Last appearance 19 January 1988
Classification Former; regular

Graham Clark, played by Gary Webster, grew up in Walford and went to school with Nick Cotton (John Altman), Rod Norman (Christopher McHallem) and Darren Roberts (Aaron Carrington). After getting involved in criminal activity with Nick, Graham served time in prison, but it later transpires that Nick had committed the crime that he was imprisoned for. Graham never forgives Nick for allowing him to go to prison for his crime.

Graham is very protective of his younger brother Barry Clark (Gary Hailes). Barry is afraid to admit to Graham that he is homosexual and in a relationship with Colin Russell (Michael Cashman). He tries to cover this up, but is relieved when Graham reveals he had known he is gay and accepted it. Graham marries a girl named Kate in 1987 after she becomes pregnant with his child. Graham is looking forward to the prospect of becoming a father and asks Barry to be Godfather. Kate miscarries weeks before the baby is due in November 1987. Graham and Barry are devastated.

Graham gets involved in the plight of Colin, who is targeted by the criminal organisation known as "The Firm". The Firm want Colin, who is doing jury service, to give a verdict of "not guilty" for one of their associates, and they use Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) to lean on him. Graham intervenes, he along with a gang of thugs and his pet Alsatian, Prince, confront Den and order him to stay away from Colin and Barry. Nick's father, Charlie Cotton (Christopher Hancock), uses Graham's animosity towards Nick to get rid of his son. Nick had been hiding from Graham, but Charlie allows Graham into their house to confront him. Graham orders Nick to leave Walford or face the consequences. Nick flees for his own safety. Graham is last seen in January 1988, supporting Colin over his recent break-up with Barry.

Farrukh

Farrukh
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Sumar Khan
First appearance 9 July 1987
Last appearance 19 November 1987
Classification Former; guest
Profile
Occupation Lawyer / Politician

Farrukh, played by Sumar Khan, comes to Walford from Bangladesh as a suitor who wants to woo his cousin Naima Jeffery (Shreela Ghosh). Naima had disgraced her family by divorcing her first husband following the demise of their arranged marriage. She is not open to embarking on another arranged marriage, but when she meets Farrukh, she is pleasantly surprised. A successful lawyer in Bangladesh with political aspirations, Farrukh is in full support of Naima's desire to be an independent woman. He and Naima bond, and several months later he returns to propose to Naima. They marry off-screen in Birmingham and move to Bangladesh in November 1987.

Ashraf Karim

Ashraf Karim, played by Aftab Sachak, moves to Walford in 1987 to run the First Til Last grocery store. The next year, his wife Sufia (Rani Singh), and their children Shireen (Nisha Kapur) and Sohail (Ronnie Jhutti) join him. The Karims keep themselves to themselves, and don't mix much with the local of Walford. However, secretly Ashraf continues to have an affair with his long term mistress, Stella. Sufia finds out and threatens to leave, but Ashraf promises her that the affair is over. However the romance soon restarts, and the family of Jabbar Ahmed (Ashraf's arranged future son-in-law) see Ashraf with Stella, and call off the wedding. With his family in disgrace, Ashraf decides to move his family to Bristol. The Karims' last appearance is in June 1990.

Rod Norman

Main article: Rod Norman

Rodric "Rod" Norman played by Christopher McHallem, is a modern day hobo. He dosses in squats and never settles anywhere for long, although he does return to Albert Square several times. Rod is a sucker for female hopeless cases and he tries to help out several 'women in need' over the years, although he is rarely thanked for his efforts. Rod is first seen in Albert Square in July 1987 as an acquaintance of fellow punk, Mary Smith (Linda Davidson). Rod is a greasy layabout, but underneath his scruffy appearance there is a kind-hearted, genuine guy, who will go out of his way to help anyone in need.

Darren Roberts

Darren Roberts
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Gary McDonald
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 28 July 1987
Last appearance 21 July 1988
Classification Former; regular

Darren Roberts, played by Gary McDonald, is the brother of Carmel Roberts (Judith Jacob). He arrives in Walford in July 1987 along with his son Junior (Aaron Carrington) and young daughter, Aisha (Aisha Jacob), who have different mothers. Darren had fallen out with his wife Darleen, and manages to persuade his sister to allow him and his children to move in with her at number 3b Albert Square.

Darren had attended school with Nick Cotton (John Altman), Graham Clark (Gary Webster) and Rod Norman (Christopher McHallem), none known for their law-abiding tendencies, and just like his wayward contemporaries, Darren also regularly dabbles on the wrong side of the law. Darren sets up various dodgy deals. He makes an enemy out of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) for selling stolen goods on his patch; he gets involved in pornographic video laundering; instigates a counterfeit money ring; starts renting out an abandoned flat to squatters for a weekly fee; and holds a 'cultural evening' in the community centre, which is a front for a porn film screening and stripper — Dot Cotton (June Brown) accidentally wanders in and faints.

He gets on the wrong side of Brad Williams (Jonathan Stratt), a member of the gangster organisation known as The Firm. Darren wants membership into the gang, but after several attempts to gain favour, Brad warns him off by beating him.

Darren goes on to con Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Barry Clark (Gary Hailes). Darren provides them with equipment for a mobile disco, but the equipment turns out to be hired and further hire purchase payments are still owed. Soon after, the hire purchase men turn up and take back all the disco gear. When Carmel finds out, she throws Darren out of her flat, after which, he disappears in July 1988, abandoning his two children in the process.

Days before his departure, Darren is questioned about the torching of The Dagmar, following Kathy Beale's (Gillian Taylforth) rape, and he purposefully implicates Den Watts as the culprit. Den, who is working for The Firm, is eventually forced to take the blame and is arrested for the deed. Joanne Francis (Pamela Salem) and Gregory Mantel (Pavel Douglas), two members of The Firm, who are watching Darren. They later reveal that Darren had moved in with a girl, whose boyfriend then puts him in hospital. He never returns to Albert Square to claim his children, and his whereabouts following this are not revealed. However, in 1989, Darren's accomplice Vince Johnson (Hepburn Graham) arrives in Walford. Vince regularly liaises with Darren by phone, and both are responsible for conning Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) in a motor scam.

Junior Roberts

Junior Roberts
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Aaron Carrington
Duration 1987–89
First appearance 28 July 1987
Last appearance 31 October 1989
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Occupation Student

Junior Roberts, played by Aaron Carrington, is a young tearaway, who idolises his wayward father. He is often getting into trouble and mischief around Albert Square.

Junior is the son of Darren Roberts (Gary McDonald), and he arrives in Walford along with his young sister Aisha (Aisha Jacob) in July 1987. The Roberts clan come to live with Junior's aunt, Carmel (Judith Jacob), at number 3b Albert Square.

Junior proceeds to cause havoc around the Square, getting into trouble for stealing, graffitiing the square, playing truant, and gives everyone a fright when he runs away from home and almost gets into a car with a stranger. Junior finds himself a girlfriend in 1988, Melody (Lyanne Compton), who is equally as troublesome. The two begin a scam where they steal dogs from people and then return them for a reward. They also manage to spark up a feud with the Karim children, with both sides swapping racist insults at each other. Darren, a petty criminal, is not the best role-model for his impressionable son, and he is often unable to curtail his deviance.

Junior idolises Darren and so he is devastated in July 1988 when his father abandons him and his sister and disappears without a word to anyone. Junior is forced to move away from Walford and go and live with his Grandparents, but he shows up regularly to visit Carmel and gets into more trouble, such as stealing Colin Russell's (Michael Cashman) CD collection and then selling them on to Rod Norman (Christopher McHallem) for a profit. This act even leads to him getting arrested after Colin's boyfriend, Guido (Nicholas Donovan), decides to teach him a lesson and informs the police. He gets off with a warning, but continues to make trouble for himself when he persuades Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) to buy him alcohol, and is witnessed drinking by Dot Cotton (June Brown). Dot is appalled to see an underage boy getting drunk, and she promptly informs Carmel. By 1989 Junior has become so troublesome that his elderly, sickly grandparents can no longer cope and Carmel is instructed to take both her brother's children in again. This is met unfavourably by Carmel's new husband Matthew Jackson (Steven Hartley), who freely admits that he dislikes Junior immensely.

Matthew and Junior argue regularly and this puts a severe strain on Carmel's marital relationship. Junior's dislike for Matthew stems from the fact that he rightly suspects him of abusing his aunt. Junior tries to put a stop to Matthew's violence by informing various members of his family about the abuse he'd witnessed, but despite their best efforts Carmel refuses to take their help and denies that anything untoward is occurring. Things reach a head in July 1989, when Junior, in an attempt to protect his aunt from Matthew's rage, stabs him with a kitchen knife. Matthew is rushed to hospital, and Junior finds it difficult to come to terms with what he has done. Carmel eventually manages to reassure him that what he did was in self-defence and he is not to blame.

The following month Carmel's father dies, and so the Robertses all leave Walford to tend to Junior's grieving grandmother. Junior is not pleased with this and makes an ill-fated attempt to run away from home with Melody, but he only manages to get as far as the front door before Carmel discovers his plan and forces him to leave with her instead.

Over the following months Junior shows up in Walford regularly to visit Melody and Vince Johnson (Hepburn Graham), a friend of his father. His last appearance is October 1989 when he attends a Halloween party in the Square.

Aisha Roberts

Aisha Roberts
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Aisha Jacob
Duration 1987–89
First appearance 18 August 1987
Last appearance 17 August 1989
Classification Former; recurring

Aisha Roberts is a fictional character played by Aisha Jacob — who is the real life daughter of Judith Jacob, the actress who played her on-screen aunt, Carmel Jackson, in the serial.[6]

Aisha is the young daughter of Darren (Gary McDonald) and the half sister of Junior (Aaron Carrington). She comes to Walford in August 1987 to live with her aunt Carmel, following the breakdown of her parents marriage. Darren is an irresponsible parent and the care of the young toddler is left mainly to Carmel and Junior - who is forced to take and collect Aisha from nursery school, making him miss school himself.

In July 1988, Darren abandons both his children and leaves Walford without a word to anyone. Aisha is then sent away from Walford to live with her grandparents. However, the following year, she is sent back to Carmel, much to the annoyance of her abusive husband, Matthew Jackson (Steven Hartley). Matthew finds caring for Aisha a chore and gets annoyed with her for crying, wandering into his bedroom constantly and making his flat a mess. Eventually Carmel and Matthew's marriage comes to an end after Junior stabs Matthew in self-defence. In August 1989 Aisha's grandfather dies, and so the entire Roberts family move away from Walford to tend to Aisha's grieving grandmother.

Donna Ludlow

Main article: Donna Ludlow

Donna Ludlow, played by Matilda Ziegler between 1987 and 1989,[7] is the daughter of Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). Donna was put up for adoption at an young age, and in August 1987 she arrives in Walford to make contact with her long-lost mother. Donna is a troubled individual who is desperate for attention, but she is shunned by almost all who encounter her. After she finds out she was conceived from rape and then rejected by Kathy, Donna sets herself on a path of self-destruction.

Frank Butcher

Main article: Frank Butcher

Frank Butcher, played by Mike Reid, makes his first appearance on-screen as a guest character in 1987 but, due to a positive viewer reception, he is reintroduced in 1988 as a regular character. Reid took a long hiatus from EastEnders in 1994. Frank returns as a recurring character from December 1995 to January 1998,[8] and eventually becomes a regular once again from May 1998 to November 2000, when Reid quit. Frank makes three brief reappearances after that, the final one in December 2005. Given the widespread identification of Mike Reid as Frank, Reid's death in July 2007 led to BBC bosses deciding that it would not be possible for the character to return in the future. In November 2007, it was announced that the character would die off-screen and in April 2008 his funeral was screened as part of a special set of episodes, dubbed Frank week.

Derek Taylor

Derek Taylor
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Ken Sharrock
First appearance 8 September 1987
Last appearance 17 September 1987
Classification Former; guest

Derek Taylor,[9] played by Ken Sharrock, is a friendly passer-by who stops to help when the Walford ladies' darts team's coach breaks down on the way to the Isle of Dogs. He forms a friendship with Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), and follows the team to the Isle of Dogs.[10][11] He is attracted to Pauline, and arrives in Walford on 15 September 1987 to see her in the launderette. He meets Pauline's husband Arthur (Bill Treacher), and her sister-in-law Kathy Beale, (Gillian Taylforth), and offers her a deal to sell her knitwear. He goes back to the Fowlers' house, but gets into an argument with Arthur when Arthur asks him to leave.[12] Pauline turns him down when he visits again on 17 September, and he leaves Walford.[13]

Martin Hunter

Martin Hunter
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Peter Purves
First appearance 13 October 1987
Last appearance 20 October 1987
Classification Former; guest
Profile
Occupation TV presenter

Martin Hunter, played by Peter Purves, is a TV presenter who arrives in Walford to make a documentary about East End life. He promises to feature Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) in the documentary, but James Wilmott-Brown (William Boyde) diverts his attention, and introduces Hunter to his chief barmaid Angie Watts (Anita Dobson), and tries to get the documentary focused on his wine bar, The Dagmar. Wilmott-Brown introduces Hunter to Colin Russell (Michael Cashman), as one of the new breed of people in Albert Square, and Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), as one of the older type of people in the square.

When the documentary is aired, the residents of Walford are horrified at how Hunter has misrepresented them.[14]

Duncan Boyd

Duncan Boyd
EastEnders character
Portrayed by David Gillespie
Duration 1987–89
First appearance 20 October 1987
Last appearance 27 July 1989
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Curate

Duncan Boyd, played by David Gillespie, is the curate at the local church. He is first seen in October 1987, when Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), who is sick of being made to choose sides between her rowing parents, seeks solace at the church. Over subsequent chats, Sharon soon begins to feel comfortable enough around Duncan to start relaying her problems and she is overjoyed to finally find someone that listens to her for a change. Over the following months, Sharon finds herself leaning on Duncan more and more and she soon begins to feel attracted towards him, feelings that are reciprocated by Duncan.

By the end of the year, the two start a relationship, much to the shock of Sharon's parents, Den (Leslie Grantham) and Angie (Anita Dobson). Sharon seems to have fallen in love and in December she asks Duncan if they can get engaged. Duncan tries to win Den over by informing him of his admirable intentions towards Sharon, and hinting that marriage is a definite possibility in the not too distant future. Den is pessimistic however, and sets about trying to upset the relationship by persuading his employee, Donna Ludlow (Matilda Ziegler), to flirt with Duncan outrageously, knowing full well that Sharon will catch them in the act. The plan works, and Sharon is furious to see Duncan sharing a drink with Donna, but unfortunately for Den, their row is short-lived and they patch things up soon enough.

Later in the year, Duncan sparks up a friendship with Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt), who regularly accompanies him to youth help groups. This eventually leads to Lofty's departure when Duncan sets him up with a job as a handyman in a children's home away from the Square.

In late 1988, cracks started to show in Duncan and Sharon's relationship, mainly because Sharon starts to begrudge the amount of time Duncan spends on his Christian duties and the many Bible readings he attends with the devout Christian, Dot Cotton (June Brown). She also begins to grow tired of Duncan's inability to have fun and she starts to ponder whether they are really suited to each other after all. Things reach a climax after Duncan persuades Sharon and her best friend Michelle (Susan Tully) to house a homeless Donna in their flat. Malicious Donna subsequently tries to come between the friends, and when asked to leave, she refuses and claims tenants rights. Sharon blames Duncan for the whole mess, and when he is offered a parish in Wiltshire and wants to proceed with their wedding immediately, Sharon has second thoughts and calls off their engagement. Duncan is heartbroken and proceeds to ask her to marry him several more times, before he finally accepts it is over.

Duncan remains in Walford until July 1989, performing priestly duties, including being the priest at Den Watt's memorial service in April, after which he is not seen again.

Gerry Fairweather

Gerry Fairweather
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Jason Watkins
Duration 1987–88
First appearance 17 November 1987
Last appearance 5 January 1988
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Estate agent

Gerry Fairweather, played by Jason Watkins, is a yuppie estate agent who frequents the Dagmar Winebar. Magda Czajkowski (Kathryn Apanowicz) asks him to help her find a property in Walford, but the manageress of the Dagmar, Angie Watts (Anita Dobson), blames him and his type for the gentrification of the East End. Gerry often infuriates Angie with sexist and rude remarks, and when he, his brother, and his friends are having their Christmas party in the Dagmar, she snaps and punches Gerry in the face, knocking him to the floor. Gerry threatens to sue the Dagmar, until Angie's daughter Sharon (Letitia Dean) makes him see how humiliated he would feel to stand up in court and confess to being beaten by a woman. Gerry never returns to the Dagmar again.

Alan McIntyre

Alan McIntyre
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Pip Miller
Duration 1987–89
First appearance 3 December 1987
Last appearance 10 October 1989
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Landlord

Alan McIntyre, played by Pip Miller, first appears in December 1987 as the downstairs neighbour to Sue (Sandy Ratcliff) and Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih). Alan plays his music extremely loudly at all hours, and holds unruly parties. The Osmans are left exhausted and irritable from severe lack of sleep. After much pressuring from Sue, Ali is forced to reason with Alan, but Alan refuses to take their complaints on board. When the noise continues, the Osmans go down to Alan's flat and threaten to complain to the landlord in order to make him stop, only to find out that Alan is their landlord and that he'd bought their flat.

Things then proceed to get infinitely worse for the Osmans at the hands of Alan, when their flat is broken into and their carpet is defecated on. Ali and Alan have several fights and Alan often resorts to racial insults. In 1988 Alan manages to patch up his differences with Ali and he also purchases James Willmott-Brown's (William Boyde) house and converts it into flats. He allows Donna Ludlow (Matilda Ziegler) to have first choice of one of the flats in exchange for sex.

In October 1989 Ali is going through some money problems, so as always, he turns to gambling to get himself out of debt. However, he picks the wrong opponent in Alan, and after he has a bad loss and is unable to pay his rent, Alan kicks him out of his flat, forcing Ali to return to Cyprus. This is Alan's last appearance.

Brendan Smith

Brendan Smith
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Ian Wilkinson
Appears on 25 December 1987
Classification Former; guest

Brendan Smith, played by Ian Wilkinson is the brother of Mary Smith (Linda Davidson). He lives in Stockport with his parents Chris (Allan O'Keefe) and Edie (Eileen O'Brien). He comes to Walford on Christmas Day 1987 to visit his father and niece, Annie, in hospital. After getting drunk, Chris had taken Annie and attempted to drive home to Stockport. However he crashed the car into a wall, and both he and Annie were hospitalised. The Smith family are overjoyed to discover that both Annie and Chris are not seriously harmed.

References

  1. ↑ "June Watkins", Walford Web. URL last accessed 2007-04-21.
  2. ↑ "June Watkins", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-21.
  3. ↑ "Reg Sparrow", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  4. ↑ "Mr Sparrow (First name unknown)", Walford Web. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  5. ↑ "Oxley", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-21.
  6. ↑ "Judith Jacob looks back on Carmel" Walford Gazette. URL last accessed 2006-10-12
  7. ↑ "Matilda gets pearl of new role". The Metro. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "EastEnders Thursday 1 January 1998 episode guide", Walford.net. URL last accessed on 2008-05-11.
  9. ↑ "Derek Taylor", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  10. ↑ "TUE 08-SEP-87", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  11. ↑ "Derek", Walford Web. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  12. ↑ "TUE 15-SEP-87", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  13. ↑ "17-SEP-87", walford.net. URL last accessed 2007-04-27.
  14. ↑ "In pictures: Celebrity soap cameos", BBC News. URL last accessed 2007-03-15.
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