Biography
Anita Dobson's role as Angie Watts in EastEnders made her a household name. Her biggest storyline - in which on-screen husband Dirty Den handed her divorce papers on Christmas Day - still holds the record as the highest rating soap episode in British history, with approximately 30 million viewers.
Since leaving EastEnders, Anita has appeared in many film, television and theatre productions. She is married to legendary Queen guitarist, Brian May.
Career
After graduating drama school, Anita appeared in several theatre and television roles, including Up The Elephant and Round the Castle, with Jim Davidson.
In 1985, Anita was cast as Angie Watts in EastEnders. Angie was the emotional alcoholic Landlady of the Queen Vic. Anita continued to be a part of the EastEnders cast until 1988, when her character moved to Spain. Angie Watts died from cirrhosis of the liver in 2002.
In 1986, Anita released a single to the EastEnders theme tune called Anyone Can Fall In Love and performed it on Top Of The Pops. The song reached number four in the charts and was produced by her husband. Anita has also released several other singles and albums.
Since EastEnders, Anita has done a lot of theatre work, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hello Dolly, Calendar Girls and Frozen at The National Theatre - for which she was Olivier Award-nominated in 2003.
Her TV appearances include sitcoms Red Dwarf, Rab C Nesbitt and her own show Split Ends, as well as dramas such as Casualty and Hotel Babylon.
Background
Anita grew up in London's Mile End Road. She has one sister, and her parents were a dress-cutter and a seamstress.
In 1970, Anita was accepted into Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, although she almost turned down her place after visiting a nearby pub and chatting to the other students: "I had a really awful cockney accent and everyone there was terribly 'naice'".
She met her husband at a party given by Freddie Mercury. The two married on 18th November 2000 after 12 years together. Brian has three children from his previous relationship.
Trivia
The 1986 Christmas Day episode of EastEnders is the 4th most-watched TV broadcast in British history, behind the 1966 World Cup Final, The Funeral of Princess Diana and Royal Family documentary in 1969.
Dancing partner
Anita Dobson is dancing with Robin Windsor.
Fan of Team Dobbie?
Join in the discussion on Anita and Robin's Fanblog page - "I heart Team Dobbin"!
