EastEnders Revealed (TV Series) The Return of Dirty Den (2003) User Reviews

An interesting show

[walfordqueen · 10/10 · 2 February 2006]

This show was very interesting, it was detailing Leslie Grantham's well publicized return to the Elstree film studios in Borehamwood to start working on the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders again after a 14 year absence in which his character the legendary "Dirty" Dennis Watts had supposedly been killed. The show featured interviews with several cast members and also looked at the press the storyline of "Dirty" Den coming back had received.

Leslie meets up with Letitia Dean and we see him film his first scene, we also see him walk around the EastEnders "lot" and reminisce about old times.

Dirty Den Returns

[kit-kat-1 · 9/10 · 9 November 2005]

This is the hour-long "documentary" that aired Sunday, September 28, 2003 on BBC1, the night before Dirty Den's infamous return to Albert Square, chronicling the history of the character of Den Watts - from his inception, his pseudo-death and his phoenix-like return 14 years later.

On his first day back on the set of EastEnders, Leslie Grantham takes us on a backstage tour of the Elstree Studios lot while reminiscing about his early days on the show. Includes interviews with current and former castmates - Letitia Dean (Sharon), Anita Dobson (ex-Angie), Jane How (ex-Jan), Nigel Harman (Dennis), Scarlett Johnson (Vicki), Pam St. Clement (Pat), Anna Wing (ex-Lou Beale), and Ross Davidson (ex-Andy O'Brien).

Mal Young (Controller - BBC Drama Series), Louise Berridge (Executive Producer), Jonathan Powell (former Head of Drama Serials BBC) and Tony Holland (Co-Creator of EastEnders) also offer their perspectives on the logistics of bringing a well-loved character back from the dead.

With commentary from Ortis, Jon Peake, Richard Blackwood, Toyah Willcox, Joe Pasquale, Paul Ross, Gaby Roslin, Margherita Taylor, Hilary Kingsley, Lesley Joseph, Claire Sweeney, Rick Sky, Jennie Bond, and Steven Murphy.

Lots of great archival footage from the show, plus a bit of EE history!