In this sleepy corner of Walford, there isn't much call for a doctor's services - just the odd sprained wrist... maybe a sick note or two. Only kidding. In his years of service as Albert Square's resident GP, Dr Legg saw more than his fair share of suicides, breakdowns, abortions and murders. He was widely trusted within the community to give out sound advice and to comfort, reassure and keep secrets. How he slept at night with all of those confidences floating around his head, we'll never know. Humouring hypochondriac Dot's various ailments and helping Mark Fowler come to terms with his HIV was all in a day's work for the dutiful doctor. However, he made mistakes too - failing to diagnose Vicki Fowler's meningitis and deciding not to tell Colin Russell of his multiple sclerosis. He finally hung up his stethoscope to be replaced by dishy Dr Fred Fonseca, but returned to the Square for various funerals, and most recently to provide support for Dot in 2007.
Background
A photo given to Dr Legg by Lou Beale, probably taken before or during the Second World War. From left to right: Judith Legg, George, Lou Beale, Harold Legg, Ethel Skinner. The photo was taken by Albert Beale.
Dr Legg, the Square's Jewish Doctor, was born in London in 1920, his father being Gregory Legg. In his youth, and still later in life, he was good friends with Lou and Ethel. During the Second World War he lived with his wife, Judith (Who was also good friends with Lou and Ethel) although she was killed while hanging out washing during an air-raid.
1985-2007
Dr Legg was the local doctor when EastEnders began in 1985, appearing in Episode 1 (19th February 1985) onwards to 1989 followed by recurring appearances after that. He ran the surgery which was in Albert Square. He was a kind and caring doctor but could get stressed at times, occasionally letting things slip his mind. At one stage in 1986 he forgot to shut the surgery window during a lunch break, which led to burglars slipping in and raiding the prescription cabinet, taking some morphine, causing an investigation by the Police, led by Detective Sergeant Roy Quick.
By the 1990s his appearances became less frequent and he retired officially in 1997. He last appeared in Episode 3364 (8th June 2007) to see Dot.
Quote
What can I do for you, Dot?
Gallery
.jpg "Harold Legg (1985).jpg (22 KB)")
.jpg "Harold Legg and Sue Osman Cot Death (1985).jpg (70 KB)")
