Eastenders pioneered the so-called ‘double hander’ in soaps, an episode featuring just two characters.  Back in 1986, Den (played by Leslie Grantham) told his wife Angie (Anita Dobson), that he was filing for divorce.  Dot and Ethel, Kat and Zoe and several others have all taken part in double-hander episodes.  Eastenders producers now plan to take the concept one stage further, and an episode has been written featuring just one character.  It seems that the first ever ‘single hander’ episode will see Dot Branning (June Brown) reflect on her life as she records an audio tape for her husband Jim (John Bardon), who recently suffered a stroke.  In a moving episode, Dot will speak about the war, those she has lost, those she loves, and just how much Jim means to her.

We recently reported that former Eastenders writer Tony Jordan was returning to write a special episode for Eastenders, and it has since been confirmed that this single hander special will be his work.  The episode is expected to be filmed shortly, and to be broadcast early next year.  June Brown is a Walford legend, so if anyone can make this work, then I am sure it will be her!