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EastEnders' Kat return had a top-secret writer

Photo credit: Nicky Johnston / BBC
Photo credit: Nicky Johnston / BBC

From Digital Spy

EastEnders bosses have secretly lured back one of the show's most acclaimed scriptwriters to pen Kat Moon's return episode, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

Tony Jordan has made an exciting return for Kat's highly-anticipated comeback, which airs on BBC One this Thursday.

EastEnders' most ardent fans will know that Tony is a former lead writer and series consultant on the show, and created Kat and the rest of the Slater family alongside John Yorke in 2000.

Digital Spy can now confirm that Tony has penned the second episode of this Thursday's special EastEnders double bill, which features Kat's dramatic return.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

[Pictured: Tony Jordan]

TV listings already released to the press have credited "Harry Holmes" as the episode's writer, but this is a pseudonym that Tony used to keep his return a secret.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Tony laughed: "Yes it's true, I have written Kat's return episode! When John [Yorke] asked me to write the episode, I just couldn't say no.

"I love EastEnders, and always have, so I just could not turn down the opportunity. But at the time I was writing scripts for three other projects so I didn't want everyone to find out I was doing another project on the side, so I asked EastEnders to put it under a different name!

"I also knew that as soon as people found out I was writing it, I would be bombarded with questions about what the story was, so I thought it made sense for everyone to keep it quiet for as long as possible!"

Photo credit: Nicky Johnston / BBC
Photo credit: Nicky Johnston / BBC

Working on the show between 1989 and 2008, Tony oversaw some of EastEnders' most memorable episodes and storylines – from Sharongate to Kat's confession to Zoe about being her biological mum.

He also penned Dot's special one-hander monologue episode in 2008, which was nominated for a BAFTA.

In 2007, Tony received a Special Achievement prize at the British Soap Awards for his contribution to EastEnders over the years. These days, he has his own production company called Red Planet Pictures.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

This week's episodes see Walford in mourning for Kat, following Big Mo's shocking claims that she's died.

Just as Albert Square's residents are fundraising for Kat's funeral, she surprises everyone by making a sensational return. And with the mastermind who helped to create her character writing the scenes, it's definitely one not to miss.

EastEnders airs Kat's return on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.


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Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest EastEnders spoilers, as Kat makes a dramatic return and a new baby arrives on the Square.

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