Following the death of actress Anna Karen, upcoming EastEnders episodes will see the Mitchell family say goodbye to the character she played on and off from 1996-2017 – Aunt Sal.
In February last year, news broke that Anna Karen had died in a house fire.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson revealed: ‘Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford. Part of the ground floor of a mid-terrace house was damaged by fire. Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
‘The Brigade was called at 2240 and the fire was under control by 2338. Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters from Ilford and Barking fire stations attended the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.’
The Mitchells gather to say goodbye to Aunt Sal
At the time, an EastEnders spokesperson also commented:
‘We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away. Anna created a sharp, quick witted and extremely popular character in Aunt Sal that the audience will never forget, just as those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness fun and good humour. Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.’
The sharp-tongued sister of Peggy (Barbara Windsor), Sal was a formidable force to be reckoned with who always made her presence felt by dishing out a dose of reality to her loved ones every time she popped up.
Next week, on the day of Aunt Sal’s funeral, the Mitchell clan gather from far and wide to pay their respects.
In Walford, Kat (Jessie Wallace) worries as Phil (Steve McFadden) keeps his emotions to himself, and Alfie (Shane Richie) decides to attend the funeral in her place.
Elsewhere, Sam (Kim Medcalf) gives Ben (Max Bowden) and Billy (Perry Fenwick) their marching orders to attend, but Phil isn’t convinced by her sudden interest in family.
At the church, Aunt Sal’s husband, Harold, makes a rare appearance and moves the congregation – including Phil – to tears with his eulogy.
Later, at the wake, Sam is shocked when Harold reveals that Aunt Sal left her, Grant (Ross Kemp) and Phil £100,000 and demands the money from Phil but he outright refuses.
Sam is then shocked when a jealous Alfie reveals that Phil slept with Emma (Patsy Kensit), and later heads back to Peggy’s with the intention of blackmailing her brother for the inheritance money.
But will she succeed?
