EastEnders explains Dotty Cotton's mum return

EastEnders has revealed why Dotty Cotton's mum Sandy has really returned to Walford.

Martha Cope made her debut as Sandy Gibson in Tuesday's (October 5) episode, in a recasting taking over from previous actor Caroline Pegg. Sandy was last on-screen in 2010.

The arrival came during Dotty's VIP night at the club, where Rocky was continuing his plan to con Sonia Fowler with a special invite to the event.

BBC

The event quickly went off the rails when a drunken woman turned up at the gala, sparking panic in Rocky since he recognised her.

It was Sonia who spoke with this woman outside the club and found out that she'd come to speak with Kirsty — aka Dotty Cotton.

This woman reentered the club to interrupt Dotty's big presentation by revealing herself to be Dotty's estranged mum Sandy.

When the two got into a row in the stockroom of the club, Dotty discovered that her mum was back on drink and drugs once again.

BBC

Dotty demanded to know why her mum ruined her big night by suddenly turning up to Walford — and Sandy finally revealed she'd come back because she wanted money from her daughter!

"You think I'm here for you? I don't want you," she laughed. "I don't need you, Kirsty. All I need is money!"

Newcomer Martha Cope previously offered some interesting insight on the backstory of Sandy and her daughter Dotty's estrangement.

"I think deep, deep down she carries a lot of guilt for her dreadful mothering skills but ultimately she's very selfish," she explained.

BBC

"The guilt of being such a bad mum is there but it's hidden by lots of years of abuse and selfishness that can overtake everything else. She's out for what she can get for herself so things have been strained with Dotty. This is her first time back in Walford for many years so she's left her daughter to get on with her life really."

EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.