Anita Dobson has shared a rare and deeply personal update on Sir Brian May’s health — revealing that the couple plan to spend Christmas Day alone, choosing peace and privacy after a year marked by health scares and heartbreaking loss.
The EastEnders icon, best known for her role as Angie Watts, spoke candidly about life behind closed doors with the Queen guitarist, 78, who suffered a stroke last year that left him temporarily unable to use his left arm.
Brian was rushed by ambulance to hospital in Surrey at the time, later admitting the ordeal was “a little scary”. Doctors subsequently advised him to avoid pushing his heart rate too high — forcing a rethink of his famously relentless touring schedule.
A strong comeback — but a quieter life
A year on, Sir Brian has made an impressive recovery. He returned to the stage at Coachella in April and thrilled fans again last month when he joined Benson Boone in London for a special performance of Bohemian Rhapsody.
However, despite the comeback moments, Anita confirmed that Brian has no plans to embark on another lengthy world tour with Queen and Adam Lambert — instead focusing on his health, creative projects, and home life.
“He is still working on stuff,” Anita explained. “I think he’s writing a song for somebody else at the moment. He does all sorts of bits and pieces.”
Reassuring fans, she added: “His health is good. He bikes every day. He swims maybe once or twice a week. He takes his pills. He’s a good boy — that’s the best we can hope for.”
Why Christmas will be just the two of them
But this Christmas will be noticeably different.
Anita revealed that she and Brian plan to spend Christmas Day quietly, just the two of them, following both his health struggles and the emotional toll of losing several close friends.
“We’re planning to spend Christmas Day alone,” she said. “We just want to be at home, quiet.”
Reflecting on the past year, Anita admitted it had been a mixture of joy and sorrow. “It’s been alternately amazing and wonderful — lots of amazing things have happened — but we’ve also had lots of sad things happen.”
“Losing people is the hardest,” she continued. “We’ve lost lots of friends. People Brian’s worked with. People I’ve worked with. Friends get really sick and suddenly you have to make time for all of that. It’s very sad.”
“There’s no secret, no easy way. You just have to be there for people, listen, be kind, and make them comfortable.”
A low-key Christmas tradition
The couple, who have been together since 1988, prefer a relaxed Christmas routine. Brian, Anita joked, would sleep all day if allowed — often working through the night when inspiration strikes.
“He’s not bothered by the phone ringing,” she said. “It’s quieter. He can concentrate more. I’ll probably let him sleep on Christmas Day.”
Their Christmas dinner will be later than most — and meat-free. “My ideal time to eat is about 4pm,” Anita shared. “We have everything everyone else has — just no meat. Cheese and biscuits, maybe a bit of champagne.”
A remarkable year for Anita
Despite the personal challenges, 2025 has also been a landmark year for Anita professionally. She made a surprise return to EastEnders for the soap’s 40th anniversary — winning Scene of the Year at the British Soap Awards.
She was also honoured with an OBE for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy, and met the King last month.
“I kept so many secrets this year,” she laughed. “I feel like 005.”
Reflecting on meeting the King, she added: “He was absolutely charming. I even forgot myself and asked him how his health was — and he thanked me.”
For now, though, Anita and Brian are choosing stillness over spectacle — a quiet Christmas, together, after a year that has reminded them what truly matters.
