The casting has now been confirmed with scenes due to air around Christmas time

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It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Bill Treacher. Bill created a much loved character in Arthur Fowler and, alongside Wendy Richard, they created an iconic family in the Fowlers who still remain at the heart of the show. Bill left EastEnders in 1996 so it is a true testament to both he, and the character that he created in Arthur, that he is still thought of so fondly. Bill will always be remembered for his charm, sense of humour - with a smile that lit up the room - and more importantly as a family man who was devoted to his wife and children. Bill will forever be held in great affection by everyone at EastEnders and all those that loved watching him. Rest in peace Bill and thank you for the memories.

 

A statement from Bill’s family: “The family of the actor Bill Treacher are sad to announce that Bill died late Saturday night, 5 November 2022. He was 92 years old and his health had been declining for some time. He was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie. Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed. The family respectfully request privacy at this time.”

 

On Bill’s passing, Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer said: “Like so many, I grew up watching EastEnders with the beloved Arthur Fowler on his allotment, one of Walford’s originals who can still be described as a true heart of The Square. To this day, Arthur Fowler is still so fondly remembered by the audience and that is due to the character that Bill created and the reason why the Fowler name is still very much alive in Albert Square, as are the great memories of those that worked with Bill. We send all our love and thoughts to Bill’s wife and family.”

 

Gillian Taylforth has said “I have so many happy memories of Bill, in fact we were only sharing stories of him at work the other day, about how he always had a sparkle in his eyes, usually before he mischievously set us off laughing during scenes. Bill was a wonderful, wonderful man who will be truly missed and I am sending all our love to his wife Kate and his family.”

 

Some words from Letitia Dean “Bill really was the life and soul of the set, he was an absolute joy to be around and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. As an actor, Bill was meticulous and he went to great lengths to portray Arthur, from the smallest scenes to the heart breaking stories. Bill was an utter professional, a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. I’m sending all my love to his family.”

 

Todd Carty has said: “I’m so sorry to hear about Bill passing, I absolutely loved working with him. He was not only an amazing actor but a kind and sincere man. My thoughts are with his family at this time. He’ll be sadly missed, I will never forget him. May he rest in peace.”

 

And finally, Adam Woodyatt: “So many memories of working with Bill, most of them involving him making us corpse. He would get this twinkle in his eye, you’d start laughing and he never got the blame. I used to love it when he was trying to remember his lines in rehearsal and he would just blunder and bluster until the correct word came out. My thoughts are with Kate, Jamie and Sophie at this sad time. Rest in peace Bill. I hope there are some roses up there for you to tend.”

RIP Bill :heart: Loved watching his character in the Classic EastEnders repeats, I think he's such an underrated actor and he brought so much warmth and heart to the role of Arthur. Probably one of the most consistent characters in the show, always well acted and written for.

 

Fun fact: Bill was the first person cast in EastEnders!

"Bitches slap, Panesars punch". Loved that fight scene :lol:

This show recently :heart: (minus the scenes with this Don guy of course, lol?)

I just walked past the iconic Lindsey Coulson who was walking up the road I live on *.* Carol Jackson is such a legendary character.

Always liked Carol, and Lindsey is a great actress, i loved the Carol, Bianca and Dan storyline, Lindsey delivered such powerful scenes during the reveal and she done the same with the scene where Billie died,

Agreed, I was so happy she came back for a few years, an incredibly powerful actress.

 

I also echo the comments above about the current state of the show. The Panesars (and Eve - what a fantastic addition to the cast Heather Peace has been) and Lola can have all the screen time they want, both storylines are gripping for different reasons. Don can disappear immediately though, not funny and a masterclass in bad acting.

Kheerat gone! :blink: Wasn't expecting that.

 

I just walked past the iconic Lindsey Coulson who was walking up the road I live on *.* Carol Jackson is such a legendary character.

As if! *.*

Wow I can't believe that Kheerat is actually gone

Wow he’s properly left :( all the cast are wishing him luck for the future, I was hoping he’d be back somehow…

 

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What a sudden unexpected exit for him!? :/ do we not even get court scenes or a follow-up to his "confession"? I hope they keep the rest of the family intact now and have a strong aftermath to his decision.

 

Will miss Kheerat a lot on the show - he has to return at some point!!

Oh I’m gutted, along with Suki he’s been the best character on the show for months.

Oh wow... I didn't think for a second that he was leaving for good. I assumed next week we would see him being questioned over the murder etc. He has been such a major character that has been key to so many recent storylines. I think his exit will be very much felt.

 

It shows that when they don't broadcast weeks ahead that someone is leaving that it has much more of a reaction and is much better for the viewer. Imagine if we didn't know what was going to happen to Lola and the reaction that would get.

 

I know it's the usual for soaps, but so many people have their final scene where they are leaving in a vehicle (taxi, hearse, police car). I'm not sure what else they could do, but I seem to have seen so many episodes of EastEnders in the last 2-3 months when someone is travelling away as the drum-dum-dums of the theme tune start.

Wow I didn’t know that was going to be it for Kheerat! A weird way for this Ranveer storyline to end tbh.

 

I think we’re seeing some post covid fall out here. The actor is clearly ready to go and yet because of the disruption, it feels like he’s just getting started. I think the departures of Nancy and Janine reflect this too, the actors clearly came back in order to keep secure work over a period of possible lockdowns and never intended to stick around.

Some spoilers for the rest of the month

 

w/c 14/11/22

 

Sam makes a shocking discovery, Alfie gets himself into a pickle while trying to keep a promise to Tommy, and Finlay and Felix use Zack as bait to persuade Whitney to party.

Alfie lands himself in hot water and gives Phil even more reason to despise him. Zack disappoints Whitney by not reading her signs.

Denise is increasingly worried about Jack, Alfie’s money-making plans are thwarted, and Felix and Finlay know that Whitney is putting on a front.

Patrick helps Howie and Denzel bond. Jack’s struggles continue. Alfie, getting desperate, tries an abortive investment ploy.

 

 

w/c 21/11/22

 

Janine's jibes at Linda continue. Billy struggles to hold things together and confides in Freddie. Rocky drops everything for a friend in need.

As disaster strikes for Janine, Linda takes a big risk. Ben questions Lola’s approach to what’s going on, and Rocky tries to make things up to Kathy.

Mick has the rug pulled out from under him. Lexi is determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Rocky makes a shocking implication but quickly backtracks.

Rocky is suspicious about Harvey’s new love interest. Eve is on a mission, but is she playing with fire?

 

 

w/c 28/11/22 (2x Double Bills this week to accommodate for the World Cup, Mon 28th and Thur 1st)

 

Janine’s true colours show as she frets over Mick and Linda. Freddie hatches a plan to help Harvey, and Kat is less than impressed by Alfie’s latest confession.

Shirley sees through Janine’s lies, Rocky faces a difficult decision, and Nish questions Suki’s behaviour around Eve.

Sonia attempts to get through to Janine, worried she’s losing control. One resident faces the consequences of their actions, and despite his situation, Alfie steps up for Tommy.

Janine remains determined to cement herself into Mick’s life. Upsetting news reaches the square, and Denise steps in to help Jack support Amy.

 

Wow I didn’t know that was going to be it for Kheerat! A weird way for this Ranveer storyline to end tbh.

 

I think we’re seeing some post covid fall out here. The actor is clearly ready to go and yet because of the disruption, it feels like he’s just getting started. I think the departures of Nancy and Janine reflect this too, the actors clearly came back in order to keep secure work over a period of possible lockdowns and never intended to stick around.

Yep I definitely get this impression too, especially with Charlie Brooks who was always in work with TV drama and theatre.

Dotty

is leaving, they confirmed on their instagram story. They thought it was the right time to start something new.

Dotty

is leaving, they confirmed on their instagram story. They thought it was the right time to start something new.

 

That’s another one that feels too soon to go because of Covid. Hamstrung by both the break and Dot’s hasty exit.

Shona has, understandably, gone viral overnight after her performance at the Festival of Remembrance