Dot Branning and her late actress June Brown were celebrated in true style on EastEnders this week.
Characters old and new joined together to pay tribute to her life and times on the BBC soap in what’s been a touching week for the continuing drama.
But one eagle-eyed fan spotted a fairly inconspicuous moment from Tuesday 14th December’s episode which could hint at a very big return – no, not Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).
During a scene where newcomer Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) had a look through his great auntie’s cards, one, in particular, stood out enough for viewers to read it.
Written in black ink, the card said: “Mrs B – forever in my heart. Arthur x.”
#EastEnders Omg the card it’s from Arthur “fatboy” Chubb ! He is alive! pic.twitter.com/o7qnZBhTTD
— Luna (@LunaPhoebeQuinn) December 14, 2022
While inconspicuous at first, there was one character who always called Dot by her affectionate nickname, Mrs B – and that was Fatboy, played by Ricky Norwood.
Fatboy, whose real name was Arthur Chubb, was not only Dot’s good friend, but he was also a fan-favourite who was last seen on Christmas Eve in 2015.
The lovable character was quite brutally killed off in a case of mistaken identity in the feud between the Mitchells and the Hubbards.
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Vincent (Richard Blackwood) discovered Fatboy’s necklace, phone and some blood in the boot of a crushed car, and he was presumed dead thereafter, with Vincent even sending fake letters as Fatboy to Dot, explaining that he had gone abroad.
As we know in soap land, if you don’t see the body, there’s every chance they could still be alive…
Is Fatboy about to make a sensational return to EastEnders?
Fans certainly hope so, as one said: “The card that Reiss was holding at Sonia’s said ‘Mrs B’ from ‘Arthur’ does that mean Fatboy is alive????”
FATBOY’S ALIVE?! #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/GcbYsF02TV
— Phil Mitchell’s hair (@philsbaldhead) December 13, 2022
Of course, Vincent himself is now dead too so there is no one left to send fake cards in Fatboy’s name, leaving the hope of a return to linger on.
Read more:
- EastEnders’ Jacqueline Jossa: “It’s not over yet” for the Brannings
- Adam Woodyatt makes surprise Ian Beale return for EastEnders funeral
- Who is Kathy Beale’s daughter Donna Ludlow in EastEnders?
- Who didn’t return for Dot Branning’s funeral in EastEnders?
- Who was Ian Beale calling in EastEnders cameo twist?
- 11 EastEnders Christmas 2022 spoilers: Exits, lies and manipulations as Jada returns
- EastEnders New Year’s Day death disaster for Slater house party?
- EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
EastEnders continues on Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.
Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.
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