Dotty about Reiss

EastEnder Sonia Fowler is getting a new squeeze – in the form of Dot Cotton’s great-nephew.

Silent Witness and Top Boy star Jonny Freeman will arrive in Albert Square as Reiss Colwell, the grandson of Dot’s uncle, Bob Colwell.

And things are set to get cosy between him and Sonia – played by Natalie Cassidy, right

– after they share a moment of sadness at Dot’s funeral.

Jonny tells us: “I hope I can do Reiss justice. He is kind but socially awkward and seeing how he manages, or doesn’t manage, his early exchanges with Sonia and her nearest and dearest has been quite interesting.”

Many Walford regulars past and present will say their final farewells to Dot in a special episode honouring soap stalwart June Brown, who died in April aged 95 after more than 30 years in the iconic role.

But it’s not all doom and gloom and EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw said he was excited for Sonia to have a new love interest. “It’s been a while,” he laughed. “Jonny is a wonderful addition to the cast.”