EastEnders casts actor David Sterne with 40 year career for emotional funeral episode as legendary character dies

**Emotional scenes as Walford says goodbye to Aunt Sal (Picture: BBC)**

Star of stage, TV, and cinema David Sterne has been hired for touching sequences as a great character is put to rest, giving EastEnders another coup from acting royalty.

The announcement follows the addition of other well-known figures to the program—such as Elizabeth Counsell, Christopher Fairbank, and Colin Salmon—which is widely regarded as going through a revival.

The Mitchell family will bid a last goodbye to their beloved Aunt Sal, who passed away off-screen when actress Anna Karen passed away, in a special week of episodes.

Along with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and sister Sam (Kim Medcalf), Harold Martin, Aunt Sal’s enigmatic husband, who is often mentioned but never seen, will pay homage to his adored wife.

David Sterne has been in the business for more than 40 years, and some of his well-known performances include in The Boat That Rocked, A Knight’s Tale, and Bridgerton.

“Everyone at EastEnders was truly saddened to learn of Anna Karen’s passing, and it was imperative that we gave Aunt Sal the send-off she deserved,” Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw remarked, discussing the plot of David’s presence.

**Harold will be in Walford to pay tribute to his wife (Picture: BBC)**

**The filming of the funeral was particularly important to the cast, who adored Anna Karen (Picture: BBC)**

“As the Mitchell family comes together to say goodbye, I’m thrilled to welcome David Sterne to the guest role of Aunt Sal’s elusive husband, Harold Martin.”

“I felt like the storyline was really important in the context of the show and everyone was so wonderful and welcoming,” David said, “so I really enjoyed playing Harold.” He was a pleasure to perform because of the outstanding writing.

At the funeral, legendary Hollywood actor Alan Ford will make his EastEnders debut.

The actor, who is 85 years old and well known for his roles in films like Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, is playing Stevie Mitchell, Billy Mitchell’s (Perry Fenwick) estranged father.

Aunt Sal often delivered sharp jabs and quips in some of the most well-known Mitchell moments.

**Every visit from Aunt Sal was entertaining (Picture: BBC)**

The actors and crew are now coming together to provide a unique homage.

In 2022, Anna, who was most known for her role as Olive in On the Buses, perished in a home fire.

“Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford,” a spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said.

A fire destroyed a portion of a mid-terrace house’s bottom floor. Regretfully, a lady was declared deceased on the spot.

By 2338, the fire was under control after the Brigade was contacted at 2240. About twenty firemen from the fire stations in Barking and Ilford, together with three fire engines, responded to the scene. Investigating the cause of the fire is underway.

**Anna Karen died tragically in a house fire in 2022 (Picture: REX)**

Following the accident, an EastEnders representative said, “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away.” Just as those who worked with Anna on EastEnders will never forget her warmth, compassion, fun, and good humour, the viewers will never forget the bright, quick-witted, and very popular character that Anna developed in Aunt Sal. Our sympathies and affection are with Anna’s friends and family.

Later this month, Aunt Sal’s funeral episodes will run.