The Year Was… 2019

Goodbye and Thank You, Doctor Legg
We began the year on a sombre note as we said goodbye to the beloved Dr. Harold Legg. The good doctor, who had been a fixture in Walford since the very beginning, had his final storyline this year, and it was nothing short of a tear-jerker. Dr. Legg’s departure was handled with the kind of emotional depth and nostalgia that only EastEnders can deliver.

Dr. Legg’s health had been declining, and it was his dear friend Dot Branning who was by his side during his final days. Dr. Legg’s death was a quiet and dignified affair, fitting for a character who had always been the epitome of calm and wisdom. He passed away peacefully, with Dot holding his hand, a moment that left many viewers reaching for the tissues.

The funeral service itself was a who’s who of Walford history. Lofty Holloway and Mary “The Punk” Smith made their much-anticipated returns to pay their respects. Lofty, who hadn’t been seen in Walford for decades, brought a wave of nostalgia with him. His return was a delightful surprise for Sharon, who he asked for a favour: pass on a large cheque for Vicki. Mary, with her punk spirit still intact, also made a memorable announcement, bringing grown-up police officer Annie, adding a touch of rebellious charm to the proceedings. As the night drew to a close, the locals lit a candle in memory of Dr. Legg, a simple yet powerful gesture that underscored the impact he had on the community.

Ben and Lola: A Family Reunion!
The Mitchells had a surprise early in the year when Ben, who had been working in Newcastle, was called home due to some trouble with Phil. He brought with him his daughter Lexi and his ex, Billy’s granddaughter Lola and it seemed that Phil and Ben had truly put the past behind them. However, in true Ben style, he was up to something, planning to fleece Phil, leave him with nothing and run. Lola was just the distraction, although she followed his every move – except for surprising no one by resuming her relationship with Jay, who, after getting rid of her current squeeze, had finally had his prayers answered!

Ben was waiting for his moment, but he was pre-empted when Phil replaced his son with Keanu in his will. Ben was furious and, after watching Stacey Fowler attack Phil with a spanner, framed Keanu. When Phil discovered the truth, he disowned Ben leaving him out in the cold. Ben would find ways of keeping warm though: he had spied his next conquest, Whitney’s fiancé Callum Highway, but first Ben would have to survive Hunter Owen if he wanted a chance…

Hunter Unravels
It wasn’t his fault, not really. If Mel had let the revenge against Ray Kelly go, maybe it would never have happened. But the sad decline of Hunter Owen, both physically and mentally, happened when Ray came after Mel and Hunter and… well, things would go horrifically wrong.

It started with a bang, quite literally, as Hunter found himself embroiled in a deadly confrontation with his stepfather, Ray Kelly. On New Year’s Day, Hunter took drastic action, shooting Ray in a fit of rage and desperation. This shocking act set the tone for a year filled with tension and turmoil for the troubled teenager.

Hunter’s decision to kill Ray wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment act; it was the culmination of a series of events that saw Ray’s true nature revealed. Ray, a bigamist and all-around bad guy, had pushed Hunter and his mother, Mel, to their limits. When Ray’s deceit and manipulation came to light, Hunter saw no other way out but to take matters into his own hands. The aftermath of the murder was intense, with Hunter and Mel burying Ray’s body in the woods (just like Steve Owen had Saskia), hoping to keep their dark secret hidden.

But secrets in Walford have a way of coming out, and it wasn’t long before Hunter’s actions caught up with him. The police eventually discovered Ray’s body, leading to Hunter’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment. This was a turning point for Hunter, as he faced the consequences of his actions and the reality of life behind bars.

In a twist that could only happen in soap, Hunter managed to escape from prison, returning to Walford with a vengeance. His escape was a desperate bid for freedom, driven by his desire to be with his mother and to reclaim some semblance of his old life. But Hunter’s return to the Square was anything but smooth. Armed and dangerous, Hunter took several residents hostage in the Vic, creating a tense and terrifying situation. Ben was shot and only saved due to Sonia’s quick nursing skills.

Hunter eventually threatened Louise, but edging out into the Square, his mother a short distance away, Hunter was shot by the police, bringing his reign of terror to a tragic end.

Whitney: More Bad Luck
Whitney had not had much luck with men, but even she didn’t see this one coming! Since they met, Whitney and Callum had become firm friends, working the bar together, but every time Whitney tried to take it to the next level he flinched. Whitney just assumed he was new at the whole thing and took her time, but he scooted back to the army instead! The signs should have been obvious then and there.

When he returned, there was no denying Whitney and the pair got together, moving in together above the funeral parlour (Callum was good with customers, not a euphemism) and planning one of Whitney’s dream weddings. When Ben sold Callum a stolen van though, he risked the wrath of the Mitchells. But Ben had already noticed the tension and difficulties in Whitney and Cal’s relationship. It didn’t take long for Callum to admit confusion, which Ben wanted to rectify by guiding Callum on the right path (that is a euphemism!).

By the time the wedding came around it was a full-blown affair. Whitney was prepared to marry him anyway, but told him that they shouldn’t live a lie. By the time Ben woke up from surgery following Hunter’s shooting, Callum and Ben were a couple.

Whitney had Tiffany and Bianca to cheer her up at least. Bianca noticed a strange man hovering at the wedding venue and ordered him to stay away from Whitney, but as B left Walford again, the guy was still hanging around. Whitney returned from her solo honeymoon and launched straight into a relationship with the guy, the not-quite stable Leo King. The surname should have been the giveaway: he was the son of Tony King, the man who had abused Whitney as a child.

He lured Whit to a hotel but Tiffany had been doing some digging on her sister’s fella and, once she realised who he was, got on the blower to Whitney who flat out refused to have anything to do with Leo, getting away from him for good. He still managed to net a stall on the market though and, by the end of the year, Whitney was so stressed of his constant presence, she was losing her hair…

Bex, Honey and Rainie: Struggling to Cope
Whitney was not the only Walford woman who struggled with mental health issues this year. No, there was others, highlighting a variety of storylines throughout the twelve months.

Bex Fowler had never had it easy, but after the murder of boyfriend Shakil, she was struggling to cope with the pressures of her upcoming university life. She had been accepted into Oxford, which should have been a cause for celebration, but instead, it brought immense stress and anxiety. Bex felt overwhelmed by the expectations placed on her and began to doubt her own abilities.

To manage her stress, Bex started taking ADHD medication, which quickly led to dependency. Bex’s dependency on the medication was a secret she kept from her family, adding to her isolation. The turning point came when Bex attempted suicide, a heart-wrenching moment that shocked viewers and brought attention to the importance of mental health awareness. Thankfully, she was found in time and survived, but the incident left a lasting impact on her and those around her.

After her suicide attempt, Bex received the support she needed to start her recovery. Her family rallied around her, and she began to open up about her struggles. It would be a slow but steady journey towards healing.

Honey Mitchell started the year in a relationship with Adam Bateman, the charming yet deceitful dentist. Their relationship seemed perfect on the surface, but cracks began to show as Adam’s true nature was revealed. Honey discovered that Adam was cheating on her with Habiba Masood, which was a devastating blow.

As Honey dealt with the fallout from Adam’s betrayal, she also faced another personal struggle – an eating disorder. Honey’s issues with food and body image became more pronounced, and it was clear that she was struggling to cope. This storyline was handled with sensitivity, highlighting the pressures and insecurities that many people face. Honey’s journey towards acknowledging her eating disorder and seeking help was a powerful and emotional arc that resonated with many viewers.

As for Rainie Branning, well, her marriage to Max Branning was still on shaky ground. Their relationship was never the most stable, and the couple faced numerous challenges, not least of which was Rainie’s ongoing struggle with addiction. Despite her efforts to stay clean, Rainie found herself slipping back into old habits, which caused significant strain on her marriage to Max, who found he simply didn’t care much, which made Rainie feel unwanted and worthless.

Eventually, the inevitable custody battle over baby Abi began. Rainie and Max were determined to keep Abi, but they faced fierce opposition from the Beale family, not to mention Cora Cross. The custody battle was intense and emotionally charged, with Rainie showing just how far she was willing to go to keep her family together. Her determination and fierce protectiveness over Abi were evident, even as her personal struggles threatened to derail her efforts.

Rainie’s relationship with Max continued to deteriorate throughout the year, culminating in a dramatic breakup. Rainie eventually found herself entangled in a dangerous situation involving Stuart Highway. Stuart, who had his own dark past, became a significant figure in Rainie’s life. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least, with moments of genuine connection interspersed with tension and mistrust. Stuart’s influence on Rainie was both a source of strength and a potential downfall, as his own issues often exacerbated Rainie’s struggles.

By the end of the year, surprisingly, the pair had stayed together and actually seemed sorted: she were even asked to take over the local funeral parlour with Stuart. This new venture provided a fresh start for Rainie, giving her a sense of purpose and stability that had been lacking in her life. The pair began their lives together, and for the first time, Rainie Cross felt wanted.

Sheanu Exposed!
The affair between Sharon Mitchell and Keanu Taylor, affectionately dubbed “Sheanu” by fans, had been simmering since 2018, but it reached boiling point in 2019. Sharon, married to the formidable Phil Mitchell, found herself irresistibly drawn to the much younger Keanu. Their clandestine meetings were filled with passion and danger, as they tried to keep their relationship hidden from the prying eyes of Walford.

Things took a dramatic turn when Sharon discovered she was pregnant. The big question was: who was the father? Sharon’s affair with Keanu meant there was a very real possibility that the baby wasn’t Phil’s. This revelation set off a chain of events that would have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.

As the year progressed, the tension escalated. Mel Owen, always one to stir the pot, discovered the affair and used it to her advantage. She blackmailed Sharon, threatening to reveal the truth to Phil unless Sharon paid her off. A car chase between the warring blondes ended in an accident. The women survived and had a brief moment of calm, but Mel, convinced she could hear Hunter’s voice, went back to the car – and was killed instantly by oncoming traffic!

The truth about Sharon’s affair and the baby’s paternity was finally revealed in the most dramatic fashion at Christmas. Phil, known for his fiery temper, was devastated and furious when he learned that his wife had been unfaithful with Keanu. The revelation led to a violent showdown, with Phil seeking revenge on Keanu.

Keanu’s life was in serious danger as Phil’s wrath knew no bounds. The Mitchell family, known for their loyalty and fierce protectiveness, rallied around Phil, making Keanu’s situation even more precarious. In a desperate bid to escape Phil’s vengeance, Keanu went on the run, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.

The fallout from the affair had a ripple effect on Louise Mitchell, Phil’s daughter and Keanu’s girlfriend, was heartbroken and humiliated when she discovered the truth. Her relationship with Keanu was shattered, and she struggled to come to terms with his betrayal. But she was also pregnant, and gave birth to a daughter, Peggy, towards the end of year. Ben on the other hand, blackmailing Martin over his past misdeeds, had Keanu marked – and ordered Martin to find Keanu by New Years and kill him…

The Other Stuff
Stacey flees the Square after attacking Phil. Whilst she’s gone, Jean learns she has cancer and tells no one, opting to fight it on her own. While battling, she meets terminal patient Daniel Cook… Mitch’s ex and daughter, Dinah and Bailey, arrive on the Square for Dinah to be looked after. When she dies, Bailey is taken in by Karen and the Taylors. Chantelle, husband Gray and their children arrive on the Square, much to mum Karen’s delight, but Gray is abusive behind closed doors. Linda ends the year a full blown alcoholic and causes panic for Mick, who goes off the rails with Stuart…