EastEnders fans can’t believe Cora Cross star’s real age in rare snap six years after exit
EastEnders star is looking fabulous for her age
THERE must be something in the water on the Square as former EastEnders star Ann Mitchell hasn’t aged a day since she left the soap six years ago.
One soap fan posted a photo of Ann – who played Cora Cross – on Twitter, with the actress beaming at the camera.
This led to others commenting about on Ann’s youthful appearance and were surprised to find out her real age.
One of her fans took to X to say: “Nobody could convince me that Ann/Cora is 85!! She looks b****y fab.”
Another replied: “Our ageless queen.”
A third wrote: “Wow, Ann Mitchell looks great. Wish we could have a Cora return with maybe Tanya.”
Cora Cross burst onto the Square in 2011, arriving unannounced at her daughter Tanya Branning’s house, revealing that Tanya’s fiancé invited her to their wedding against Tanya’s wishes.
Cora’s other daughter, Rainie, also showed up, and after some initial tension, Tanya allowed them to stay.
When Tanya was diagnosed with cervical cancer, Cora vowed to support her and started working at a cancer charity shop.
During her time on the Square, Cora was larger than life, with a brash, outspoken attitude and did not care who she offended.
However, she got into a relationship with Patrick Truman and looked after her granddaughters while their dad Max was in prison.
Later, Cora stole money from the launderette and then when her relationship with Patrick ended she started dating Stan, who had terminal prostate cancer.
After Stan died, Cora left for Exeter. But months later, she was found sleeping rough.
She returned to the square to live in an allotment shed and alleyways until she was given a house.
After her granddaughters, Abi and Lauren Branning, fell off the roof of The Queen Vic, she received temporary custody, blaming Max for the accident.
Ann took a break from the show in April 2015 and then returned for five months and again in March 2017. The door is open for her return.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
EastEnders is on BBC1 on Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7.30pm and Thursday at 7.30pm and Friday at 8pm.