The second part of our post honoring EastEnders actors who passed away in 2022.
6. Mona Hammond (Blossom Jackson, 1994-1997, 2010)
Whenever people talk about the great stalwarts of Albert Square, Blossom Jackson never gets the credit she rightly deserves. But we loved her and we think that everyone should have a neighbour, a friend, or a gran just like Blossom! Feisty and strong with a heart of gold, Blossom was always there with a listening ear and a friendly word. She was always around to pick up the pieces and hold the Jackson family together during a crisis - and goodness knows there were many of those! But she wasn't afraid to give anyone a much needed clip round the year or kick up the backside when it was called for as we saw when a party at the Jackson house got seriously out of control!
Blossom, the grandmother of Alan Jackson, wasn't really a very welcome addition to the Jackson household when she first arrived. In need of a place to stay, Alan's partner, Carol and her children were adamant that they liked their household just as it was and that Blossom wasn't moving in. But she soon won everyone around with her mild manner and gentle ways and it wasn't long before all the kids were calling her gran! And thank goodness for Blossom because she supported the family through tough times such as Robbie being attacked by Ted Hills; Alan and Carol's extramarital affairs, and the trauma of the family being targeted by armed robbers which eventually led to them moving away from Walford. And during what was to be Blossom's final appearance in EastEnders back in 2010, when she returned after an absence of thirteen years, she helped the family through their darkest hour when her great-grandson Billie tragically passed away due to alcohol poisoning.
The very gifted actress who breathed life into such a phenomenal character was Jamaican-born Mona Hammond. Soon after settling in Britain, Hammond won a scholarship to the prestigious RADA, where she graduated in 1964. She began her career in theatre as most actors do but TV roles soon beckoned with appearances in The Sweeny, Casualty, Coronation Street, Desmond's, Juliet Bravo and Sunburn. We especially liked Hammond's role as the grandmother in short-lived British nineties' sitcom, Us Girls, which should have lasted a lot longer than it did because it was hysterically funny. And then along came Blossom Jackson...
When it came to EastEnders' characters, Blossom Jackson was a personal favourite of ours. The casting of the very talented Mona Hammond as the grandmother of the legendary Jackson family was spot on (unlike the casting of the equally talented Gwen Taylor as the grandmother in the Highway family which for some reason just doesn't work.) We were disappointed when Blossom left after being swept off her feet by barber Felix, and while we were glad to see her back in 2010, we do wish it could have been a much longer stint.
Mona Hammond passed away at the age of ninety one in July 2022.
7. Ashvin Luximon (Asif Malik, 1999-2003) 23rd july
Before there was Kush or Zack, it was Asif Malik who was Martin Fowler's best friend, with the two teenage boys often getting into mischief due to one of Asif's hairbrain schemes gone wrong. And the Walford girls just weren't safe when girl-crazy Martin and Asif were around! But then Martin settled into married life with Sonia Jackson and fatherhood, while Asif went off to university and was never seen in Walford again, much to our disappointment as Martin and Asif's antics had us in stitches. Asif was last mentioned a few years back at a reunion for Martin's old schoolmates, and he's believed to be living up in Edinburgh. As he was one of our favourite characters, we'd always hoped that perhaps one day Asif would make a return to Albert Square to catch up with his old mate, Martin.
Enfield-born Ashvin Luximon who appeared in Grange Hill before finding fame in EastEnders, was the talented young actor who played Asif to perfection. It would appear however that Ashvin gave up acting soon after leaving the top soap and lived his life away from the spotlight. But from the heartfelt tributes written after news broke of his passing, it's clear that he was a fantastic person with a great sense of humour and a heart of gold, and will always be so sorely missed by all who knew him Whenever someone passes away, it's always devastating but to pass away at such a young is heartbreaking. Ashvin sadly passed away at the age of thirty eight in July 2022 due to an aneurysm.
8. Harry Landis (Felix Kawalski, 1995-1997)
The third former EastEnders' actor to pass away after reaching the grand age of ninety five, Harry landis played sweet, mild-mannered barber shop owner, Felix Kawalski. EastEnders' fans might remember that Felix wasn't given the most warmest of welcomes and it was a while before anyone frequented what they thought was a rather dated barber shop. Unfortunately worse was to come when thanks to meddling schoolgirls Janine Butcher, Sonia Jackson and Clare Tyler, Felix was the subject of rather unpleasant rumours as the residents speculated about what might be kept in the basement of his barber shop. It all came to light one evening when Clare, who got hurt while snooping in Felix's basement, caused Phil and Grant Michell to jump to conclusions and came close to giving Felix a bashing. Thank goodness Nigel stepped in when he did!
But it was eventually revealed that Felix was a Holocaust survivor whose family were missing, presumed dead. What he actually kept in the basement of his shop was a butterfly collection that belonged to his father, and the only thing he had left that reminded him of his family. Sorry for the way they had treated him, the residents made amends and Felix became a much-loved member of the community. When Felix discovered he has a sister who was alive and well and living in Israel, he left Walford behind for a new life in Israel, accompanied by his friend Blossom Jackson... but was there a hint of romance on the horizon for the pair?
Landis, like Leonard Fenton, was also from Stepney in East London so he was another real-life eastender! He started his acting career in the 1950s appearing in shows such as Z Cars; Play For Today; Crown Court; Minder and Friday Night Dinner, as well as EastEnders. Landis was also married to actress Hilary Crane who viewers might remember from Eldorado, Tucker's Luck and Accident.
Harry Landis passed away in October 2022.
9. Josephine Melville (Tessa Parker, 1986) October 20th
Appearing in the very early days of the soap, Josephine Melville played Tessa Parker and was only in EastEnders over the course of a month back in the mid-eighties. Tessa was a friend of Kelvin Carpenter's and the two went to the same college. When Kelvin formed a band (remember The Banned?) with Ian, Sharon and Wicksy, Tessa, who by now was going out with Kelvin, also wanted to join the band but her lack of musical talent meant that no one was keen on letting her be a part of the group. Her romance with Kelvin ended when the two realized that they were on different paths and Tessa then leaves the Square.
While Tessa's time in Walford my have been brief, Josephine Melville enjoyed a long career in the arts and entertainment, not only as an actress, but also as a writer and director, and held workshops in her native Essex. A star of stage, screen and radio, Josephine had made appearances in The Bill, Little Miss Jocelyn, Prime Suspect and Pie in the Sky. She also made a return to EastEnders in 2005 to play a character called Ellie Wright for one episode.
Josephine Melville passed away very unexpectedly in October 2022 after a stage performance. She was sixty one.
10. Bill Treacher (Arthur Fowler, 1985-1996) Nove
One of the lasting acting greats to pass away this year was also the actor responsible for one of the most iconic characters ever to grace Albert Square. Despite his extensive acting career, it's Bill Treacher's role as loveable, allotment-mad Arthur Fowler for which he will forever be remembered. Bill starred in the soap since it began in 1985, and even appeared in EastEnders' very first iconic scene when Arthur, along with Ali Osman and Den Watts, discovered the body of Reg Cox in his flat. Bill created a great character in Arthur, whose most memorable storylines included the theft of the Christmas club money; creating the Flowering Wilderness fund, and not forgetting that shocking affair with Christine Hewitt. Arthur no! Viewers will never forget that very memorable scene when Arthur's furious wife, Pauline, discovered the affair and gave Arthur a whack across the head with a frying pan.
Albert Square was never the same when Arthur passed away. But his memory lives on his son Martin and his grandson and namesake, little Arthur. The memorial bench in the Square gardens means that Arthur will always be known to all the newcomers who find their way to Walford, as well as the newer generations of EastEnders' viewers. Bill Treacher had played roles in Bergerac, Grange Hill and Minder before finding fame as Pauline Fowler's hen-pecked husband. And after leaving EastEnders, Bill made appearances in Casualty and The Bill. He passed away in November of this year.
At Nostalgia Pie we were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of these actors who provided us with so many years of entertainment; have shown a great deal of dedication to their craft, and provided us with so many wonderful memories. Our thoughts are with their family and friends as they try to come to terms with with the loss of their loved ones.
May they all rest in eternal peace x
Photos: YouTube
Blog graphics: Angel Noire
