The leading ladies of Walford have reflected on their time working on the soap, as EastEnders approaches it’s 40th anniversary.
To celebrate the milestone, Radio Times has released seven different covers featuring the iconic women who star in the beloved BBC show.
Michelle Collins, who plays the role of Cindy Beale, revealed that that while TV often doesn’t favour women over a certain age, soaps like EastEnders give them a voice and share their stories.
The actress, 61, starred in the soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and reprised her role last year.
She told the publication: ‘TV isn’t great for women of a certain age, but soaps are. What EastEnders and characters like Cindy show is that we have got voices, we have got stories – and they should be heard.
‘I loved it for the first few years. When I came back in the 90s, I was in my early 30s and very ambitious, I never saw myself there for the future.’
The leading ladies of Walford have relfected on their time working on the soap, as EastEnders approaches it’s 40th anniversary (Michelle Collins pictured as Cindy Beale)
To celebrate the milestone, Radio Times has released seven different covers featuring the iconic women who star in the BBC soap (Jessie Wallace pictured as Kat Slater)
She continued: ‘Now I’m back again, I’m happier to stay. I think I’m more comfortable in my own skin, more content, and I’m not running away all the time. I’ve certainly grown, and hopefully I’m a better actor.’
Meanwhile, Jessie Wallace, 53, first joined the show back in 2000 and has been embroiled in some huge storylines over the years – most notably the bombshell reveal that her character Kat Slater is the real mum of her ‘sister’ Zoe.
Reflecting on her time on the show, she said: ‘I came in as the troublemaker of a new family and didn’t know she would become as big as she has.
‘Kat has developed over the years and I love dressing up as her, she makes such a statement with the red lipstick and the mini-skirts.’
Lifting the lid on ‘soap snobbery,’ she continued: I don’t understand it. You get huge film actors coming in and they don’t realise how hard it is to produce what we do.
‘I remember Joan Collins presenting at the British Soap Awards and saying, ‘A successful actor is a working actor.’ Soaps are a fabulous thing to be a part of.’
The other stars featuring on the Radio Times special covers are Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale), Diane Parish (Denise Fox), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter), Balvinder Sopal (Suki Panesar-Unwin), and Leтιтia Dean (Sharon Watts).
Leтιтa Dean admitted she didn’t think EastEnders would last more than a few months, nevermind 40 years.
And Balvinder Sopal, who joined Albert Square in 2020 as Suki Panesar, and has been a fans’ favourite since then, believes soaps allow for a ‘nuance in female characters’.
Michelle Collins , who plays the role of Cindy Beale, revealed that that while TV often doesn’t favour women over a certain age, soaps like EastEnders give them a voice and share their stories
Meanwhile, Jessie Wallace , 53, first joined the show back in 2000 and has been embroiled in some huge storylines over the years
Balvinder Sopal, who joined Albert Square in 2020 as Suki Panesar, and has been a fans’ favourite since then, believes soaps allow for a ‘nuance in female characters’
Leтιтa Dean admitted she didn’t think EastEnders would last more than a few months, nevermind 40 years
Read More EastEnders star Michelle Collins, 62, flaunts her jaw-dropping figure at TV Choice Awards 
It comes just after EastEnders bosses have answered the prayers of their fans as they have made a huge announcement to celebrate their upcoming 40th anniversary.
Starting from Monday, every episode of the iconic soap opera will not only air on BBC One but will also be dropped simultaneously on BBC iPlayer.
To celebrate the anniversary, the soap will air a special hour-long episode on Wednesday, February, 20, which will then be following by a full live episode on Thursday February 21.
And this is not the only treat soap bosses have surprised fans with to celebrate the milestone as they also announced a new spin-off show which Walford legend Ross Kemp will host for the soap’s 40th anniversary.
EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, a documentary that tracks iconic moments from the show over the years, will see a string of iconic stars return to screens.
To mark the occasion, the hour-long BBC One special will dive behind the scenes to access some of its most poignant storylines from the last four decades.
The new spin-off will be fronted by actor and presenter Ross Kemp, best known to EastEnders viewers as the infamous Grant Mitchell.
Some of the storylines explored will see Kat’s historical abuse storyline as well as Mark Fowler and Zack’s HIV diagnoses.
It will also share behind-the-scenes insight as Ross speaks to some of the actors directly involved in those storylines. Many of them tackled themes and issues that had never been featured on primetime British TV before.
It comes just after EastEnders bosses have answered the prayers of their fans as they have made a huge announcement to celebrate their upcoming 40th anniversary
Starting from Monday, every episode of the iconic soap opera will not only air on BBC One but will also be dropped simultaneously on BBC iPlayer
EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, a documentary that tracks iconic moments from the show over the years, will see a string of iconic stars return to screens
Some of the cast members will include show stalwarts Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Cotton) and Leтιтia Dean (Sharon Watts).
Special appearances from EastEnders legends Anita Dobson and Pam St Clement will also be featured, with the original landlady taking a trip down memory lane alongside her on-screen daughter.
And Ross’s return to Albert Square be one of many as he has reprised the role of Grant and will arrive back in Walford.
Speaking of the new documentary, Ross Kemp said: ‘It was a privilege to be asked to present this documentary, celebrating 40 years of EastEnders.
‘During the making of it I was constantly reminded of the impact EastEnders has, not only on the cast and everyone that works on the show, but also on the audience, as well as the effect it has had culturally in the United Kingdom.
‘It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with some of my dear friends – old and new – and celebrate this special anniversary, it was an absolute honour.’
Executive Producer Joe Ingham added: ‘EastEnders has had a transformative effect on television audiences for forty years – myself included.
‘It has been a privilege to work with the legend that is Ross Kemp and an honour to spend time in Walford, revealing a never before seen side of Albert Square, forging emotional family reunions, and exploring the impact its residents have and continue to have beyond E20.’
Executive Producer Joe Ingham added: ‘EastEnders has had a transformative effect on television audiences for forty years – myself included’
Speaking of the new documentary, Ross Kemp said: ‘It was a privilege to be asked to present this documentary, celebrating 40 years of EastEnders’
Ross joined the show almost 35 years ago and soon made his mark as one of half of the legendary Mitchell brothers alongside Phil (Steve McFadden), and loving son to Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell, who was played by the late Dame Barbara Windsor.
Grant has been part of some of the most memorable storylines in soap history including uncovering his brother’s affair with his wife Sharon in 1994, the death of his second wife Tiffany who was run over by Grant’s stepfather Frank Butcher on New Year’s Eve 1998, and the Mitchell brothers car crash in 1999.
It is not his first return to Albert Square after his initial stint from 1990-1999, he returned for a year in 2005, and again in 2016 for Dame Barbara’s final scenes with her sons.
His character later returned to Portugal with daughter Courtney (Megan Jossa).
