Dirty Den's return sparks surge on national grid

Dirty Den's dramatic return to EastEnders sparked a 560 megawatts power surge on Britain's national grid.

Den, played by Leslie Grantham, appeared only in the closing moments after 14 years away and spoke just two words - "Hello, princess" - to shocked screen daughter, Sharon.

A UK National Grid spokesman said: "We were expecting a power surge at the end of the show so we were well prepared."

Grantham originally left the soap when his character was apparently shot dead by a gangland hitman using a gun hidden in a bunch of daffodils in February 1989.

Den's return was part of a plan by scriptwriters to fight back against the continued success of Coronation Street.

Corrie scored huge ratings earlier this year as the plot surrounding serial killer Richard Hillman reached its climax.