EastEnders fans thrilled as rarely-seen star spotted in Queen Vic celebrating milestone birthday
EASTENDERS fans have been left thrilled after a rarely-seen star was spotted in the Queen Vic celebrating a milestone birthday.
Wednesday's episode saw Zack Hudson drowning his sorrows in his local pub amid his relationship woes with pregnant girlfriend, Whitney Dean.
As Zack spoke to Jay Brown and landlady Elaine Peacock, a number of market stall workers entered with Lauren Branning.
Looking delighted, Elaine cried: "Oh! Here he is! The birthday boy!"
The camera then panned back to Winston, a long-time extra on the BBC soap who was wearing a big '60' badge and carrying a balloon with his milestone birthday on as well.
Winston did a little dance as everyone cheered, before Penny Branning arrived and called out the orders for Dave, Luke and Winston, whose tipple is a "vodka tonic".
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EastEnders viewers were delighted to see Winston get some more screen time, having been on the show as an extra since November 1985, just months after the soap launched.
Taking to a Reddit forum, one fan wrote: "I couldn't believe Winston celebrated his birthday in the Queen Vic turning the big 60, I thought what?
"He hasn't changed much and he is still the same Winston working on CD stall.
"Ulric Browne (who plays him) is actually 67 in real life as someone said on Twitter. They should do that more with Tracy and Shrimpy who are other extra long term characters."
Another EastEnders fan agreed, writing: "They should have a whole episode following the likes of Winston, Shrimpy, Tracey, cheesy Marcie...it would be brilliant lmao.
"I'd love to hear them discussing their opinions of the car crash lives of the square residents."
Another fan wrote: "I was excited to see him have some lines and be featured for a few seconds."
A fellow viewer suggested: "They should do that for the 40th anniversary, maybe an online episode of them sitting around in the Vic on a Sunday night, discussing the previous week's events."
Winston is played by Ulric Browne and the character has lived in Walford all his life.
Over the years it's been revealed he has a wife and children.
Ulric previously revealed Winston was only supposed to appear in two episodes, but he was asked to stay by producers.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.