2002
Peggy Mitchell, Frank Butcher and Sam Mitchell in Southern Spain. The episodes re-introduced the character of Frank (played by Mike Reid) back into the show for a week's worth of episodes. Prior to this appearance the character had not been seen on-screen since his disappearance in 2000.
Peggy travelled to Spain to attend the funeral of ex-husband Frank. Actress Barbara Windsor who plays Peggy has commented: "Once she hears that Frank’s dead, Peggy’s determined to go to the funeral...She feels she has to say goodbye to him once and for all". However, she promptly found him alive and well, learning that he staged his own death. Windsor added "Peggy’s fuming. She has come all the way to Spain for his funeral and he doesn’t even have the decency to be dead!". Peggy managed to drag her daughter Sam back to Walford, who this time was played by Kim Medcalf instead of the original actress Danniella Westbrook.
The Sun newspaper commented "It all makes for a fantastic sunshine week in southern Spain instead of east London" and Barbara Windsor added that "It was great to work with Mike Reid again...It felt very fresh working outside of the studio."
Read more about this topic: East Enders Off Set Episodes