EastEnders fans stunned as star of classic cop drama The Bill makes surprise appearance in BBC soap
EASTENDERS viewers were left stunned by seeing a star from The Bill make a surprise appearance.
Fans of the BBC soap were quick to recognise a familiar face from Sun Hill Police Station.
Iain Fletcher played the role of DC Rod Skase in the ITV drama, appearing over six years.
Having made the switch to Walford, Iain popped up in the role of Councillor Barker.
Taking to X, one viewer wrote: "Another ex old bill at #EastEnders as a council man @bbceastenders."
Another added: "#EastEnders It's nice to see the geezer who played DC Rod Skase from #TheBill back on screen. He looks well."
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While a third chimed in: "Isn't that Rod Skase from The Bill?"
Earlier this month, it was revealed soap bosses had cast Iain for a dramatic EastEnders storyline.
His arrival comes amid Albert Square residents fighting to save the Bridge Street market.
In last night's episode, a meeting between Mr. Barker and several locals took place - but it soon turned into a shouting match.
As the councillor tried to wrap things up, Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) responded: "We're not done until we say we are."
Mr Barker asked; "Who might you be, young lady?", while calling markets "a thing of the past".
Undeterred, Ruby proceeded to describe the market as an "institution".
She added: "It's part of the fabric of the East End. It's the glue that holds this community together. And has done for 120 years."
Mr Barker realised she was Johnny Allen's (Billy Murray) daughter - a calling the villain a "bully".
He finished: "It looks to me like the apple hasn't fallen very far from the tree. But I must say, you are a very succulent apple, I will give you that."
How will this rivalry progress moving forward?
Elsewhere, the BBC soap will be putting stalwart Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) at the centre of a hard-hitting mental health storyline.
It will see Phil's depression - which has been shown in recent weeks - spiral as he attempts suicide.
As his depression deepens, Phil struggles to keep his emotional turmoil hidden from those closest to him.
EastEnders facts and figures
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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He begins to experience vivid hallucinations, leading him to the heartbreaking belief that his life is no longer worth living.
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: “Phil’s depression storyline will focus on his decline in mental health and the subsequent psychotic symptoms, and the reaction of those around him, as we hope to demonstrate how mental health can affect anyone at any time.
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"Steve’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary and has thoughtfully portrayed the complex realties of depression, and the experience of psychotic symptoms, with compassion and understanding.”
EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.
