EastEnders stars who left behind huge fortunes for family and co-stars

31 August 2023 , 10:11

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EastEnders legend Bill Treacher, best known for playing Arthur Fowler on the BBC One soap, left over half a million pounds to his family following his death last year.

The iconic soap star died aged 92 in November after being diagnosed with ataxia seven years prior. In a statement released by the family of the veteran actor, it was confirmed that the late actor had been suffering from 'declining health' for some time before his passing.

It's been revealed this week that Bill's family will inherit his fortune of £504,676.1, according to figures released by the probate office. The Hackney native named his executors and trustees as his wife, Australian actress Katherine Kessey and their adult children, Jamie and Sophie, as well as a solicitor. His grandchildren have also been confirmed as some of the discretionary beneficiaries of his financial assets.

Arthur actor Bill isn't the only EastEnders legend to leave a huge fortune behind for their loved ones following their passing, with a couple of Albert Square residents even leaving massive sums of money behind for their friends and former co-stars on the long-running BBC soap.

Anna Karen - Aunt Sal

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Anna's character Aunt Sal chatting to Ronnie at Roxy's hen do (BBC)

The late actress Anna Karen left the bulk of her £427,000 fortune to EastEnders co-star Sophie Lawrence, documents revealed earlier this month. Anna, best known for playing Olive Rudge in the 70s sitcom On The Buses, died in a house fire at her home in London in February at the age of 85.

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Anna was also a soap star thanks to appearing on EastEnders as Aunt Sal between 1996 and 2017, where she met longtime pal Sophie Lawrence. Sophie, who played Diane Butcher in the BBC soap and was a regular from 1988 to 1991, still makes cameos and pops up in Albert Square, most recently in 2012. Following Anna's death earlier this year, Sophie received 65 percent of Anna's estate once funeral and legal costs were taken care of.

Anna isn't the only former soap star to look after their co-stars and on-screen family after their death, with late EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor also leaving huge sums of money for old colleagues in their wills and her generous act of kindness being revealed following her passing in 2020.

June Brown - Dot Cotton

The EastEnders legend left her huge fortune to her offspring (BBC)

It was the end of an era last year when EastEnders legend June Brown passed at the age of 95 in April, with tributes pouring in for the Dot Cotton actress at the time. A few months on from her death, June's will instructions were revealed - with the late soap star's children inheriting their mum's fortune.

June welcomed six children into the world during her life; Chloe, Louise, William, Naomi and Sophie, who she shared with Robert Arnold. The late EastEnders star's second born child - also called Chloe - sadly died two weeks after she was born. Following her death in 2022, it was reported June left nearly £1million in her will to her offspring.

The star, loved for her portrayal of chain-smoking Dot in the BBC soap, was one of EastEnders' longest serving characters. BBC bosses paid tribute to June as news of her death broke last year, saying: "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE, sadly passed away last night. There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten."

The tribute continued: "June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June's remarkable performances created some of EastEnders' finest moments. We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June's family and friends. A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June's memory. Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."

Barbara Windsor - Peggy Mitchell

Barbara with her close friend Anna, who played her on-screen sister (BBC)

EastEnders legend Dame Barbara Windsor died on 10 December 2020 at the age of 83 after a battle with Alzheimer's and the contents of her will were revealed the following year in November 2021, with the late soap icon dishing out money to one of her long time friend's and co-stars.

£4.6 million of her estate went to her husband Scott Mitchell whilst she also left money for a number of charities including NSPCC, Breast Care, Help The Aged, showbiz organisation Grand Order Of Lady Ratlings, National Osteoporosis Society, Headley Court wounded soldiers rehab centre and Age UK all receiving £1000 each.

The Peggy Mitchell actress also left the same amount for her friend and co-star Anna Karen, who Peggy Mitchell's sister on the show, but first met Barbara when they starred in the Carry On films together. Barbara's sister-in-law Marsha Alexander and her husband Laurence received £5000, whilst her cousins Leslie Larsen and Julie Elliot received £2000 each, reports at the time suggested.

Anna went on to pay Barbara's kind gesture forward and, like her on-screen sister, also left an EastEnders co-star money in her will, with it revealed the late actress left Sophie Lawrence the bulk of her £427,000 fortune following her death in a house fire at her home in London earlier this year.