In a recent episode of EastEnders, Steve McFadden’s character Phil Mitchell received a call from family members informing him that Aunt Sal (Anna Karen) had unfortunately died away.
Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), who got the news, has assumed charge of planning the funeral, which is scheduled to broadcast tonight (January 15).
Throughout the course of 20 years, Aunt Sal made many appearances in the BBC soap opera and is among the most remembered of the show’s guest stars.
Aunt Sal was a who?
Television icon Anna Karen, who had portrayed Olive in On the Buses and The Rag Trade, played Aunt Sal.
Her first appearance was in 1996, just after Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) gave birth to her son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), and she was the acerbic sister of Peggy Mitchell.
She made 54 appearances throughout the years, her last one being at Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell’s funeral in 2017.
She often made an appearance at significant family gatherings, such weddings and funerals, and she was there when Peggy Mitchell had her last episodes.
When did Anna Karen die?
Will Belle go through with their wedding?
Sadly, Anna lost her life in a home fire in 2022 when she was 85 years old.
When she passed away, a representative for EastEnders stated:
“We are very sorry to learn of Anna Karen’s passing.”
“The audience will never forget Anna’s sharp, quick-witted, and wildly popular Aunt Sal character, and those who worked with her on EastEnders will always remember her warmth, kindness, good humor, and fun.”
“Our sympathies and love are with Anna’s friends and family.”
