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EASTENDERS favourite Kathy Beale had fans confused after mentioning her dead daughter Donna - who hasn't been mentioned for DECADES.

Viewers were left wondering why she was talking about her deceased offspring - and, more crucially, WHO she was.

 Kathy and Rainie in EastEnders
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Kathy and Rainie in EastEndersCredit: BBC

The scene saw Kathy - played by soap veteran Gillian Taylforth - on screen alongside Rainie Cross, played by Tanya Franks.

The Albert Square stalwart was going to the doctors to get some drugs for Rainie - but the pair had a heartfelt showdown when the former drug addict was reminded that she couldn't be around pills.

The mum admitted that her daughter Donna had died from an overdose in 1989 - but she still blamed herself for her death.

Perplexed fans took to social media to enquire who Donna was - while some delighted in the retro callback.

 Kathy and Raine have a heart to heart and mention 'Donna'
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Kathy and Raine have a heart to heart and mention 'Donna'Credit: BBC

One confused viewer wrote: "Woah, hang on. Haven't seen EastEnders for 6-7 months. Since when did Kathy have a daughter?

"Watched if for about 25 years and I've never heard a Donna mentioned before!"

Another gasped: "Oh my, Kathy's daughter Donna got a mention in the latest EastEnders! If I hadn't been watching the classic episodes I would never have even got the reference.

"Must be the first time she's mentioned her since 1989."

One fan remarked: "Since when did Kathy have a daughter? I'm so confused."

 Kathy Beale and daughter Donna in the 80s
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Kathy Beale and daughter Donna in the 80sCredit: BBC

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 Kathy's dead daughter Donna
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Kathy's dead daughter DonnaCredit: BBC
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 Kathy and drug addict daughter Donna
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Kathy and drug addict daughter DonnaCredit: BBC

Another added: "Didn't know Kathy had a daughter."

A fan questioned: "Kathy remembers Donna?"

One superfan remarked: "Kathy mentioning daughter Donna who died in 1989 is the kind of context I live for."

Another was delighted and wrote: "So Kathy finally mentions her daughter Donna who hasn't been mentioned for YEARS!"

And another said: "Oh wow. Kathy's bringing up Donna."

 Kathy Beale references dead daughter 'Donna'
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Kathy Beale references dead daughter 'Donna'Credit: BBC
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 Kathy and Raine's showdown
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Kathy and Raine's showdownCredit: BBC

Donna appeared on the soap from 1987 for two years until her sudden death.

Kathy's daughter spiralled out of control with prostitution and drug addiction after she was horrified to find out she'd been conceived from rape.

She then died of an overdose after choking to death and was found by the Square icon Dot Cotton in 1989.

EastEnders' Rainie Cross brutally assaulted after prostitution scam goes wrong

Another blast from the past has come in the form of Dotty Cotton.

The actress Molly Conlin looks jaw-droppingly different nine years after she last appeared in the soap.

The character is set to make a comeback - but will be played by new actress Milly Zero.


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