Anita Dobson has opened up on her marriage to Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, admitting that she is ‘OK with or without’ her husband as she addressed an ‘unseemly’ issue
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
13:22, 05 Nov 2025
Anita Dobson says she’ll never do panto again(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Actress Anita Dobson has candidly revealed that she’s content “even with or without” her husband Sir Brian May, and confessed there’s one job she’ll never do again.
The 76 year old first rose to fame as pub landlady Angie Watts in EastEnders, but she’s also a well-known figure on the stage, having appeared in pantomime over 20 times throughout her illustrious career.
With the festive season fast approaching, Anita has declared that she won’t be returning to panto, stating that money isn’t a concern in the Dobson-May household.
In an interview with Radio Times, she expressed: “Even with or without my Brian (May), I’m OK. I’m obviously really OK with him.
“I can’t put that crown on again and scream my tits off for 12 shows a week for five weeks. It’s unseemly isn’t it. And it’s just too exhausting for a 76-year-old woman,” reports the Express.
Sir Brian May and Anita Dobson have been married for 25 years(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Anita’s panto repertoire includes eight performances in Snow White, seven in Aladdin, four in Dick Whittington and two in Sleeping Beauty, not to mention her role in Babes in the Wood.
She met her husband, Queen guitarist Sir Brian, back in 1986 while he was still married to his first wife.
Anita served as the muse for his hit song ‘I Want It All’ in 1989, before they tied the knot in 2000. The loved-up pair are set to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this month.
Recently, she opened up about their long and blissful marriage. Reflecting on their relationship, she described Brian asking her to move in with him and their wedding day as “two of the most pivotal moments” of her life.
Anita opened up to Yours magazine, saying: “That’s not to say that everything’s been smooth sailing every day – there’s no magic potion for a perfect marriage.
“It can be hard work. Even though Brian’s the love of my life and he’s absolutely adorable, it’s not easy and we have to work at it.
Anita Dobson says she will be ‘OK with or without’ Brian May(Image: Getty Images)
“I’ve had to give up a little bit of my independence, but because Brian loves me, he allows me to be me and that’s the trick.”
In addition to her successful career on screen and stage, Anita also graced the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor in 2011.
She was paired with Robin Windsor and was the eighth celebrity to be sent home. Despite her commendable performance, Anita, who was then 62, revealed she repeatedly declined BBC executives’ offers to join the show as she was “scared of making a fool” of herself.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Anita shared: “The third time they asked me to do Strictly, my best friend said to me: ‘You love dancing, why do you keep saying no?’
“I replied: ‘I suppose I’m a bit scared of making a fool of myself.’ And she said: ‘At 62, do you care?’ And in that moment, I realised I didn’t.”