EastEnders actor John Bardon has filmed what are reportedly expected to be his final scenes in Albert Square.

According to The Mirror, emotional cast and crew watched as Bardon filmed scenes for a plot which will see his wife Dot Branning (June Brown) finally make the decision to move Jim into full-time care.

The 71-year-old suffered a serious stroke in 2007, which was then written into his plots to allow Bardon to appear at various stages over the last few years.

The paper claims that some of the BBC soap's staff believe that the storyline marks the end of the character on the show.

"Dot's been struggling for a while and realises that she can no longer give Jim the care and attention he deserves and is forced to make the heartbreaking decision that he should move into a home," a source told the paper. "She fell down the stairs and her friendship with Edward is also growing which makes the situation with Jim difficult.

"It was very emotional on the set for the scenes where Dot discusses her decision and talks to Jim about him going into care for good. There were a lot of tears."

The insider added: "The feeling is that this is the end of Jim as a character because he won't leave the home and won't ever be a regular in Albert Square again."

However, Jim could still be shown in his care home, if Bardon's health permits him to film scenes.

An EastEnders spokesperson said: "We would love to continue working with John in the future and we hope to see Jim on our screens again."

EastEnders favourite Dot Branning is to be reunited with her estranged sister Rose in a forthcoming storyline, Digital Spy can confirm.

Bosses at the BBC soap have cast actress and singer Polly Perkins in the role of Rose, who has had little contact with Dot for most of their lives.

Animosity between the siblings began many years ago when Rose embarked on an affair with Dot's first husband Charlie.

However, after suffering a bout of hypochondria later this year, Dot - played by June Brown - will decide that it's finally time to put things right and track down her sister.

Billed as "flighty, fun and not one to age gracefully", Rose is very different from Dot and is not pleased to see her after so many years.

However, insiders have hinted that there could be another reason why Rose is uneasy about the unexpected reunion.

Perkins is best known for her role as Trish Valentine in Eldorado. She has also appeared on screen alongside Brown before as they both appeared in BBC drama Rules of Justice in the 1980s.

Speaking of her casting, Perkins commented: "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders, the show is a real British institution with an extraordinary creative team. I'm really looking forward to working with June again, who I have been friends with for over 30 years."

Fans have seen Dot left heartbroken this week as her beloved husband Jim was moved into a care home because she could no longer look after him on Albert Square.

Eddie Moon's arrival in Walford video.

eddie moon

Wow! That's a spectacular entrance!

Can't wait - I love David Essex - I hope I'm not disappointed.

Well according to people like Sharon Marshall who get to see episodes in advanced, we won't be.

Seems like they're following Julie's son storyline by casting him. About time EastEnders had some fresh strong male characters as the women characters are much better.

He has the most gorgeous blue eyes and a lovely smile - I'm looking forward to watching Eddie Moon.

They've took a risk by casting unkown actors to play his sons, hope that pays off for them. Only thing i'm wary about is Moon domination because I can only take so much of Alfie before he begins to grate and i'm not a big of Kat as I used to be now.

The Masood's are great, some really promising stuff coming up soon with Yusef. Denise always chooses the psychos and is so underused.

I'd pay good money to give him the kiss of life

Agree, agree, agree, agree and agree!

looking forward to Mr Essex...

Thanks. I take it you like Christian and Syed?

Enjoyed tonights episode a lot.

Christian is ok at times, but he can annoy me too. Syed is so easy on the eye that I find I keep forgetting what he's said

I liked Chryed at first (their cyber couple name).. then Syed turned dull and Christian became less fun then he used to be. Can see why the girls and some gay men find Syed attractive but IMO personality wise he's missing something?

Max and Tanya zzz, we all know what's gonna happen (yet again).

Rumours about Yusef  being murdered, however if it's true i'm starting to think something may happen to a person close to them since they're leaving?

Kara Tointon has admitted that her four-year stint on EastEnders ended disappointingly.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Strictly Come Dancing winner, insisted that it was a relief to be axed from her role as Dawn Swann - despite previously stating that she missed the show.

"I knew it was time for me to go. When you don't have a big storyline it can be boring. All your character seems to do is order a sandwich in the cafe for months on end," she revealed. "But you're also conscious that you need to pay the mortgage."

The star added: "You get caught up in the 'EastEnders' bubble and start to answer to your character's name. In a way I was relieved when Dawn was written out. Would I have had the guts to leave myself?"

Since leaving EastEnders, which she appeared in from 2005, Tointon has guest-hosted BBC Three show Don't Call Me Stupid as well as a number of pantomimes.

She is currently starring as Eliza Doolittle in a West End production of Pygmalion which also features Rupert Everett as Henry Higgins.

Whilst I liked Kara in EE and was glad she won SCD, I do agree with her in the sense that Dawn had ran out of steam as a character but she would have still been there if she didn't leak out the plot about Danielle dying on the internet which lead the bosses to axe her as speculated..

She should be thankful to EastEnders for giving her the opportunity and making her known to the public IMO.

EastEnders bosses have cast soap newcomer Danielle Harold to play Billy Mitchell's (Perry Fenwick) granddaughter in a surprise new storyline, Digital Spy can confirm.

In an unexpected twist due to air this summer, Billy and his partner Julie Perkins (Cathy Murphy) are left stunned as they discover they have a granddaughter they never knew existed.

Although the news is initially a shock, the Walford couple ultimately decide to track down their relative and soon find out that she's living in care - an experience they are all too familiar with themselves.

Billy's granddaughter is 15-year-old Lola Pearce, who has a sharp, cocky but likeable attitude.

As she meets her grandparents for the first time, Lola quickly forms a bond with them as she has been deserted by everyone else in her life.

However, as Lola follows the couple back to Walford, whether the rest of the Square's residents will accept her remains to be seen.

Speaking of her casting, Harold commented: "I am so excited to be joining EastEnders. I have watched the show all my life and I never thought that one day I could be in Albert Square.

"It feels strange to be walking round Walford with people I have grown up watching - I still have to pinch myself."

Viewers will see Lola make her screen debut in the coming weeks.

I'm really liking Eddie. He seems a fun guy but interested in this big issue between him and Michael? Shame David Essex will be off for a while due to his tour commitments but fear not people he is in talks with the producers about a return (he did an interview with DS confirming it).

Michael and Ronnie's conversation was interesting, they actually have a lot in common and her words tonight struck a cord with him. His putdown to Kat was hilarious.

Will miss Ricky, aww at the kids reaction.

I am still soooooo in lurve with David Essex and am glued to EE at the mo! MrB laughs at me cos almost swoon when he's on!! I can't wait to see how his story with Michael pans out.....and I am praying like a loon that Carol doesn't get her claws into him, though there were rumours that they snog....lucky cah!!

I like David Essex, but find that EE constantly introducing new characters that are ALWAYS RELATED to people in the square really tedious.  And half the time, they are people who have never been mentioned before, or who nobody knew existed  IMO, it's bloody ridiculous and unbelievable.  It happens too often to be true-to-life. 

EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Nicola Stapleton is reprising her role as Mandy Salter after 17 years away from Albert Square.

The residents of Walford are in for a shock when the tearaway makes a surprise return to the area later this year, stirring up trouble as she did during her teenage years in the '90s.

Viewers last saw Mandy in 1994 when she fled from the Square suddenly, heartbroken after her boyfriend Aidan had returned to Ireland.

As Mandy settles back into Walford life, fans will see that she has grown up slightly during her time away, but she remains fun, chaotic and wild.

Billed as a "manipulative force of nature", Mandy also has a spiteful streak and she is already being tipped to cause trouble for at least one of Walford's well-known residents.

Speaking of her EastEnders return, Stapleton commented: "I'm looking forward to playing Mandy again - it will be interesting to see what she's been up to all this time. I'm excited to be coming back and working with some old friends."

Since departing EastEnders, Stapleton has made appearances in Emmerdale, Hollyoaks Later and Bad Girls among other shows.

EastEnders fans will see Mandy's comeback scenes in the autumn.

aww Mandy was a great character....remember when she and Aidan were homeless and living in the squat, and they used to wash themselves in the Vic in the morning lol.  Not sure how her return is supposed to cause controversy though, there aren't any residents left who were around during her time on the show apart from Ian, Dot and Phil?

aww Mandy was a great character....remember when she and Aidan were homeless and living in the squat, and they used to wash themselves in the Vic in the morning lol.  Not sure how her return is supposed to cause controversy though, there aren't any residents left who were around during her time on the show apart from Ian, Dot and Phil?

Mandy is obviously before my time () but from what i've read seems a decent character, she'll have some reminiscing to do with the characters she knows who are still there but she can easily make friends with the new cast to fit in with the current Square and explore new storylines with her.

Temps I agree.  I don't think hardly anyone would know her now...  I must admit I didnt like her and arent particularly bothered about her returning.  Raking up ancient characters rarely has much of an impact, and I don't think she will last more than 6 months to a year.  I wish they had not brought Kat back: I can't bear her... I like Alfie though. 

I HAVE TO SAY I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE that bloody RAINIE!  Argh!   Everything about her makes my skin crawl; especially how she comes on to every man she sees.  What a desperate slapper.    Sorry rant over! 

Don't like Michael either.... (alfie's brother...)

Knew there was something too good to be true about Eddie, they actually kept his secret under wraps.

I'm liking Rainie, prefer over over the false Tanya anyday but not if she ends up having an affair with Phil because Shirley is fab.

Michael is intriguing, i'm starting to like him a lot.

Yes, yes okay Darlo     I dont know who she'd be reminscing with though, as far as I know she didn't have much to do with the remaining people she knew?  I think there's some sort of a link with her and Pat though?  Though I can't quite remember what

I don't like them raking up ancient characters either Sparkles.  Alfie I can forgive, because they should never have let him go, but Kat, she's just so moany since they brought her back.  Now fair enough she's had a lot on her plate   but move on ffs

Blimey - Tanya's lost some weight

Sounds like she's going to be putting a fair bit on soon...

Karma

EastEnders stars Cheryl Fergison and Linda Henry have been spotted filming scenes in Southend.

The actresses, who play Heather Trott and Shirley Carter respectively, join fellow cast members such as Ricky Norwood (Fatboy Chubb) and Neil McDermott (Ryan Malloy), who have also recently been filming in the resort.

In EastEnders scenes to be aired this summer, Heather and Shirley travel to a music convention, The Sun reports. Other characters will also be in the area.

Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) will come face-to-face with Rob Grayson (Jody Latham) for the conclusion of the sex exploitation storyline.

Meanwhile, Dot Branning (June Brown) will reunite with her sister Rose, played by former Eldorado actress Polly Perkins.

An EastEnders stuntman was recently injured after falling from a pier and smashing his head on rocks during filming in Southend.

Ricky Grover

Hev is getting a new love interest.

Another new casting.

EastEnders bosses have cast actor George Layton in the role of Lydia Simmonds's estranged son Norman, Digital Spy can confirm.

In a plot twist airing later this summer, superbitch Janine Malloy (Charlie Brooks) is in for a surprise when Norman arrives as an unexpected guest for her grandmother's funeral.

Although Norman originally intends to leave after the service has taken place, he later decides to stick around in Walford as he is planning to contest his mother's will.

Shortly after Norman's arrival, sparks fly when he bumps into an old face from another lifetime - Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement).

Billed as "hapless, clumsy and unlucky in life", Norman is a lonely and good-hearted man who has a soft spot for Pat. However, whether he will finally get his girl remains to be seen.

Speaking of his EastEnders role, Layton commented: "I am thrilled to be joining such a wonderful cast and crew - Norman is a great part and I'm excited to play him.

"I can't wait to get stuck into life in Albert Square - and hopefully the odd tipple or three in the Queen Vic!"

Layton is best known for his role as junior doctor Paul Collier in Doctor at Large, Doctor in

Charge and Doctor in the House, as well as appearances in Minder, BBC drama Sunburn and It Ain't Half Hot, Mum.

EastEnders viewers will see Lydia pass away in tomorrow night's episode of the soap, leaving Janine devastated and feeling more lonely than ever.

Michael/Eddie spoilers

Eddie didn't actually kill Michael's mother. Michael found her body after it turns out she committed suicide but Michael believed his father had killed her since then, hence the way he is now.

eastenders

Climax to the controversial baby swap storyline revealed?

Zainab wrongly accused of affair.

zainab