'EastEnders' Boss Admits He Had Doubts Over Kathy Beale's Return, Until He Remembered Similar 'Coronation Street' Storyline

'EastEnders' Boss Admits Reservations About Kathy's Return
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EastEnders’ boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has admitted he had his reservations about bringing Kathy Beale back to the soap.

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The café owner died off-screen in a car crash in 2006, but made a dramatic return during Live Week in February, when she met with ex-husband Phil Mitchell.

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Kathy Beale is 'back from the dead'

Since then, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) has made several appearances, as it was revealed that she faked her own death as part of an insurance scam masterminded by her dastardly husband Gavin Sullivan (Paul Nicholas).

While her re-introduction has been a hit with viewers, Dominic feared the idea of her coming back from the dead may have been taking things too far, but then remembered that rival soap ‘Coronation Street’ pulled off a similar stunt in 2010.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, he said: "The danger is when you are just playing to viewing figures and are just playing to the channel.

"When we walked about Kathy coming back, I wondered if it was pushing it too much and if it would be unbelievable, but then we stopped and remembered that ‘Corrie’ did it five years ago.

"It was the canoe man story that ‘Corrie’ did with Tina and Joe McIntyre. We are just seeing the same story from a different point of view."

Actress Gillian Taylforth recently teased the impact Gavin has had on her character, explaining how she would have gone along with faking her own death.

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Gavin will be EastEnders' biggest ever villian

“When they find out why she’s become the person has, they start understanding that their mum has been brainwashed. I’m hoping they’ll forgive her.”

Kathy makes a permanent return to ‘EastEnders’ on Friday (11 September) at 8pm on BBC One.

Who Is Kathy Beale?
1. Kathy first appeared in 'EastEnders' in 1985.(01 of08)
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Kathy and her husband Pete, along with their son Ian Beale, were one of Walford's original families and Gillian's character remained in the soap until 2000. (credit:Martin Leaver/allaction.co.uk /EMPICS Entertainment)
2. She's got history with Phil.(02 of08)
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In 1993, Kathy began an affair with Phil Mitchell, which was as rocky as you might expect. Despite their various troubles, the couple had baby Ben - yes, the one who murdered Heather - a year after their 1995 marriage. (credit:BBC Pictures)
3. Sharon isn't going to be happy. (03 of08)
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Sharon and Kathy's rivalry goes right back to 1993, when Kathy discovered that her lover Phil - who was married to Nadia at the time - was also having an affair with Sharon. How will Sharon feel about Kathy being back on the scene? Our guess is - NOT happy. Can we just take a second to look at Letitia Dean's hair in this photo, please? (credit:BBC Pictures)
4. Kathy starred in a number of key storylines(04 of08)
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Kathy's rape storyline was watched by over 19 million viewers in 1988, and the soap was praised for the way it handled the sensitive subject. Her domestic violence storyline was also well-received by viewers. (credit:BBC Pictures)
5. Gillian decided to leave in 2000.(05 of08)
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The actress said she needed a break, and wanted to try other things away from the world of Walford. (credit:BBC Pictures)
6. Kathy also had an affair with Grant.(06 of08)
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Those Mitchell brothers are just so irresistible, aren't they? (credit:BBC Pictures)
8. Kathy was presumed dead in 2006.(07 of08)
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It was announced that Kathy was being killed off, in order to allow her son Ben to return to the soap with his dad Phil Mitchell... (credit:BBC Pictures)
9. BUT NOW SHE'S BACK!(08 of08)
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...Yes! Little did we know, 'EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins was masterminding a return for Kathy. Phil's managed to keep her presence a secret for quite some time, but it looks like the Kat(hy) is about to be let out of the bag. (credit:BBC Pictures)