Sharon’s shockers!

EastEnders veteran Letitia Dean looks back at the best bits from her character’s turbulent time in the Square this week, including the climax to Sharongate...

When EastEnders repeats its classic Sharongate episode this week, soap legend Letitia Dean may break the habit of a lifetime and actually watch herself.

While Letitia admits she can’t stand to see herself on TV, she might make an exception for this. ‘It was pure joy to shoot so it will be interesting to watch it again after all these years,’ says the 52-year-old, who was part of the original EastEnders cast when the show launched in 1985.

The run of classics and accompanying behind-thescenes Secrets From The Square shows are being broadcast because the coronavirus lockdown has left the BBC without new episodes. This week Letitia reveals her secrets while looking back on the plot that saw her character Sharon in a love triangle with her husband Grant Mitchell and his brother Phil.

Sharongate ran for several years in the 90s, becoming one of the most popular storylines. The climax, first broadcast in October 1994, saw Phil and Kathy’s engagement party end in tears when Grant played a tape of his wife admitting to her affair with Phil to a packed Queen Vic. It drew an incredible audience of more than 25 million, as Grant beat his brother unconscious and Sharon fled.

‘It’s one of my favourite storylines,’ says Letitia. ‘It developed over a long time, which I think is when EastEnders is at its best, and then... pow! It was frightening because it was a lot of responsibility, and I was a lot younger then, but I enjoyed every second. It got such great feedback.’

Letitia’s other highlights as Sharon include the return of her ‘dead’ father Den; an ill-fated relationship with her adoptive brother Dennis; a reunion with

Phil; and having a child with young Keanu.

Secrets From The Square sees Letitia joined by Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt, as the pair reminisce about how they started out on the show together as teenagers. ‘Watching us back in the old days was lovely and touching,’ says Letitia. ‘But I was a little bit nervous while filming because it’s very different being yourself. I had to rein in my potty mouth slightly!’

However, there were a few things the show revisited that Letitia cringed at. ‘I’d rather forget my 80s perm. And my 90s short haircut.

And the pink fluffy jacket I wore for who knows how many years, my gosh!’

The show will also look ahead to what’s in store for Sharon when filming resumes, as she is set to once again be the Queen Vic’s landlady after taking over from Mick and Linda. ‘I hope it’ll feel like coming home,’ says Letitia. ‘I’m excited.

‘I’ve really missed everyone too. It’s going to be a different way of working whenever we’re back, but I try to think positively and see it as a challenge. Hopefully I can still pull a pint!’ ■

Tom Latchem