Eastenders

Letitia Dean on Sharon’s nightmare at Christmas...

Sharon is getting ready for a ‘proper Mitchell’ Christmas!”

It began as a spark of attraction in a backstreet garage, but that spark soon became a flame – and this Christmas, that flame becomes an explosion which is going to blow the Mitchell family apart. However, as Letitia Dean – who plays pregnant Sharon – tells us, when the festive season arrives, poor Sharon actually thinks everything is going to be all right! But little does she know, the scene is set for one of Eastenders’ most brutal Christmases ever…

Well, Letitia, Sharon has had one hell of a year – does she really think that the Mitchell family Christmas is going to be a success? Doesn’t she know that she’s in an Eastenders Christmas?

Sharon now she thinks it’s all over, and she’s preparing for a ‘proper Mitchell’ Christmas – she has everything organised to a tee, and is definitely looking forward to the big day with all her family around her.

So she has no fear of the truth being uncovered?

Sharon thinks her secret is under wraps, but the fear of it all coming out doesn’t go away – that’s still looming over her. She took a huge risk telling Lisa everything, although she thought it was the only thing she could do to shut her up. Sharon doesn’t think for one second that Lisa would reveal all to Louise, because it would break her heart, so she’s quietly confident…

Meanwhile, what Sharon doesn’t know is that Phil is on to her. Despite getting the wrong end of the stick with Jack, this fortnight he’s on Sharon and Keanu’s tail, quizzing people who could confirm his suspicions. Sharing what he knows with Ben, the pair come up with a plan. As Keanu and Louise return home from hospital to a family party, Phil has learned the truth, and takes his revenge…

Can you give us a hint about what we can expect when the truth comes out? Well, Sharon has no idea that Phil knows – she’s been slaving away getting everything ready for Christmas dinner. Then from nowhere, Phil confronts her. Obviously, Phil explodes and all hell breaks loose at No 55, and Sharon has nowhere to hide. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there are some twists and turns that Sharon definitely didn’t see coming… and neither did I [laughs].

Is some part of her relieved now that the truth is out?

Part of her is, yes. We saw Sharon struggling under all the pressure from Mel – she nearly buckled, but managed to hold it together. She is relieved she doesn’t have to lie and watch her back any more. The fear of what’s next for her might be even bigger, though.

She must fear for Keanu – you wouldn’t want to be in his shoes…

Oh yes, definitely. Phil treated Keanu like a son. He trusted him with his business, Keanu’s engaged to his daughter and they have a baby together. Keanu was the last person Phil would suspect, and Sharon knows Phil will want revenge.

It’s almost 35 years since Letitia first walked on to Albert Square, and it’s a credit to her that Sharon is still at the heart of the action. And with the show’s big birthday just a couple of months away, we don’t think things are going to get any better for Shaz…

The scenes this Christmas might be some of the biggest you and Steve Mcfadden (Phil) have ever done – and that’s saying something…

It’s fantastic having those big scenes with Steve – he’s such a generous actor, I love working with him. The scenes are so tense – all I’ll say is that it’s Eastenders at Christmas, so it’s dramatic. Phil is at his angriest, and we see the fighter in Sharon.

What of the future? Can this be mended for Sharon and Phil?

Phil is the love of her life – they’ve had a tumultuous relationship, with lots of set-backs. But she’s been there for him through thick and thin, and they always end up together. I don’t think Sharon will ever not love Phil.

What about Keanu and Louise?

I think Sharon did love Keanu at one point, or she loved the idea of him, but not any more. Meanwhile, Louise is like a daughter to Sharon, and them both having babies with the same man is an absolute nightmare. Whether or not they can rebuild that relationship, I’m not sure – we’ll have to wait and see…

I think Sharon did love Keanu at one point…”