Exclusive: Enders' Dot for soap's first single-hander

EastEnders is to pioneer soap's first single-hander episode featuring only Walford legend June Brown.

The special script sees June's character Dot Branning reflecting on her life as she records an audio tape of memories for her beloved husband, Jim (John Bardon).

In the moving 30-minute script written by Tony Jordan, the character speaks about life through the war, those she has lost, those she's loved and how much Jim means to her.

An EastEnders source told Digital Spy: "June is a much-loved actress and a brilliant performer.

"It'll be a treat for EastEnders viewers to watch one of Albert Square's longest-serving and most cared about characters reminisce about her past. It's a sure bet that the names of her husband Charlie and son Nick will crop up!"

They added: "The script is fantastic and we have no doubt June will make it one of the soap's best ever episodes."

EastEnders' first ever double-hander came in October 1986 when Den (Leslie Grantham) revealed to his stunned wife Angie (Anita Dobson) that he was filing for divorce.

Since then, there have been various other uses of the concept, the most notable over the years occurring in July 1987 between Dot and Ethel (played by the late Gretchen Franklin) and in October 2001 when Kat Slater revealed that she was, in fact, Zoe's (Michelle Ryan) mother, and not her sister. This episode drew a massive audience of 16.9 million.

The special Dot single-hander is due to be filmed and broadcast early next year.

Last month, EastEnders won the National Television Award for 'Best Serial Drama'.