The EastEnders star, 36, who joined the cast as Sonia Fowler aged just nine, was bullied about her weight and was even called a 'beached whale' before reaching her teens.

Scott Mitchell, 56, revealed that watching EastEnders helps battle the neurodegenerative disease Barbara Windsor was diagnosed with six years ago.

Viewers rushed to Twitter to praise the soap after a gripping episode saw Whitney finally escape Leon's clutches by stabbing him with a knife.

In scenes set to air this week, Jack (Scott Maslen) throws a punch at his brother Max (Jake Wood) after revealing he's secretly been in contact with his niece Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa).

Danny Dyer believes EastEnders have taken soaps 'to a new level' this week and is 'very proud' of the BBC One programme's thrilling episodes to mark the show's 35th anniversary this week.

The soap has been no stranger to drama since it first arrived on screens on 19th February 1985, with plots ranging from the Phil Mitchell's shooting to Dirty Den's resurrection.

EastEnders star Lacey Turner has admitted she couldn't allow herself to get excited about her pregnancy before giving birth to daughter Dusty, seven months.

The actor, best known for his role as Steven Beale on the BBC soap, was left stunned after the youth brandished a bread-knife as he made his way home from a local fitness studio.

Viewers took to Twitter to praise the Australian soap for marking the anniversary through a list of Walford-themed cocktails outside The Waterhole bar.

Phil and his son Ben go on the warpath to try and find Keanu after he kidnapped Callum Highway, and it remains to be seen whether their plot will take a deadly turn.

In dramatic scenes that will air on Friday, Sharon turns to Kathy Beale for help as her labour escalates after being held at gunpoint by Ben Mitchell.

Viewers took to Twitter in droves to demand that someone rescue the famous soap mainstay, after they saw the bust sinking into the River during the 35th Anniversary week.

The actress, 93, confirmed she no longer wished to play the gossiping laundress, after first arriving on Albert Square in 1985.

Speaking on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast , June said: 'It's almost as if I've been bereaved. I don't want a retainer for EastEnders, I've left. I've left for good.'

EastEnders viewers were left shocked as Sharon Mitchell's 13-year-old son Dennis died in an explosive twist - only for his mum to find out about his death moments after giving birth. 

The actress, 47, is set to return to her iconic role as Bianca Jackson amid the huge upcoming storyline involving her onscreen surrogate daughter Whitney Dean.

The 42-year-old has spoken about why he feels it was 'harsh' of EastEnders to axe him following his split from longtime girlfriend, Rebekah Rose-Ward.

Hertfordshire-born Shona McGarty, 28, told Fabulous Magazine her break-up was amicable and that she didn't want to make a public announcement when things fizzled out last year.

EastEnders stars Maisie Smith and Danny Dyer cut casual figures as they returned to filming following the BBC soap's explosive 35th anniversary boat crash scenes.

The Tiffany Butcher star, 18, and Keegan Baker actor, 21, seemed to share a taxi home after the raucous celebrations as they were spotted getting into a parked vehicle together.

Leading the glamour were Shona and Danielle as they displayed their amazing legs in cocktail dresses, while Gillian Taylforth was assisted by a male pal as she headed to a waiting taxi.

Insiders say Maisie, 18, and Zack, 21, went public with their blossoming romance at the soap's 35th anniversary wrap party in east London on Saturday.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 42, told Lorraine Kelly on Wednesday that she doesn't know the reason behind June's surprise exit, but said she and the cast still view her an 'inspiration.'

The EastEnders actress and I'm A Celeb victor, 27, stunned fans as she pulled her hair off and shared the cheeky caption: 'Hair today, gone tomorrow!'

Many viewers took to Twitter to poke fun at the hilarious transformation, after the character was recast for the seventh time with newcomer Dayle Hudson.

The TV host, 40, revealed she felt the 'weirdest craziness of emotion' after giving birth to her baby daughter Patricia in September 2018.

EastEnders are set to introduce the first deaf character to help Ben Mitchell cope with his hearing loss in the wake of the explosive boat crash episodes in the BBC soap.

EastEnders' Ben Mitchell faces serious danger in Friday's episode as he steps out in front of a speeding motorbike after failing to hear it coming.

Appearing on Thursday's episode of Loose Women, the EastEnders star, 31, reflected on her journey to motherhood after welcoming daughter Dusty in July with husband Matt Kay.

EastEnders viewers were left heartbroken on Thursday as Daniel Cook dies just hours after girlfriend Jean Slater was given the all-clear from cancer.

Former EastEnders star Carol Harrison has lashed out at producers of the show and accused them of making her feel 'suicidal' amid a clash over 'sexist and ageist scripts'.

EastEnders SPOILER: Whitney Dean screams out and is covered in blood as she languishes in prison amid Leo King's murder as the BBC soap drops an explosive new trailer.

Nick Berry looked unrecognisable as he made a rare public appearance on a dog walk in Epping recently.

The actress, 57, told her 191,000 Twitter followers she was shocked at the 'nastiness' of comments directed at her after she revealed daughter Maia, 23, had been privately educated.

Speaking on Loose Women on Wednesday, Carol told how she loved playing the role at first but 'didn't like the way women at that age were being represented'.

The EastEnders star, 42, was roasted by his friend for only being interested in women that 'were the same age as his daughter,' and suggested he should try and find a partner through personality.

The former EastEnders star, 25, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a long 'Dating ad', where she urged anyone who ticked all the boxed to get in touch directly.

The former EastEnders star, 27, proved family comes first as she enjoyed some quality time with her youngest child in a sweet clip uploaded to her Instagram account on Monday morning.

The pair were both skeptical at first but Jay soon realised he was excited at the prospect of becoming a father following a chat with Billy Mitchell.

EastEnders star Louisa Lytton looked incredible when she attended the TRIC Awards at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday.

Emmerdale newcomer Mark Womack has revealed his soap star wife Samantha 'takes the mick' out of his line-learning style.

Former EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa, 27, sent fans wild as she hinted her character Lauren Branning could return to Albert Square.

Last month the 35 anniversary episode of EastEnders saw 13-year-old Dennis Rickman die in a horrific boat crash.

The extended studio - based mere feet away from the old set - includes a brand new Queen Vic pub, railway line and block of flats to replicate the soap's original set, and is thought to cost £87m.

The 47-year-old EastEnders star - who is now based in Malibu, California - took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her emotional post.

The former EastEnders' actress took to Instagram on Tuesday to film herself walking past her local and admitted she found it 'distressing' to see so many people there.

The group clearly got into the spirit of the Irish festive holiday as Max donned a large leprechaun hat as he cut loose with his co-stars on Saturday.

Melissa Suffield has given birth to her first child with fiancé Robert Brendan. 

The Ex- EastEnders actress, 27, shared a sweet picture with her baby boy resting on her chest during the night alongside the caption: 'Shout out to the 3am crew!'

The EastEnders actress asked for questions while bored at home as she isolates with her fiance Ben Bhanvra.