EastEnders Letitia Dean reveals big fib she told bosses to land iconic Sharon Watts role
EastEnders' Letitia Dean has been playing the iconic role of Sharon Watts since the soap first aired in 1985 - but she's now revealed the huge lie she told to bag the part
EastEnders’ Letitia Dean has revealed the massive fib she told to land her iconic role as Sharon Watts.
The 56 year old actress first graced our screens in the soap back in 1985, making her one of the few original cast members still on the show. Blonde bombshell Sharon has been at the heart of Walford’s drama since day one.
From her affairs with the Mitchell brothers to the tragic death of her adoptive mother Angie Watts, Sharon’s life in the famous square has been anything but calm.
Recently in the soap, she and the rest of The Six have been grappling with the cover-up and murder of Sharon’s lover Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters). Fans will remember the chilling scene where Keanu almost strangled Sharon to death before Linda Carter intervened and stabbed Keanu.
However, it appears that actress Letitia might never have portrayed Sharon if not for a little white lie she told the soap’s bosses. During an appearance on EastEnders ‘ spin-off show, Secrets from the Square in 2020, Letitia discussed landing the role of Sharon, reports the Daily Star.
“I don’t really recall the audition that much. I know there were several callbacks. They were searching far and wide,” Letitia reminisced. But there was a hitch, as one of the key criteria to secure a role on EastEnders was that the producers were seeking authentic East Londoners with a Cockney accent.
Letitia, the award-winning actress hailing from Hertfordshire, candidly shared her little white lie that helped her land a role: “We had to be born ‘within the sound of Bow bells’,” she recounted, before confessing with a chuckle, “I told a porky! ” She went on to reminisce about the thrill of getting the part, saying, “I said my parents had to go and work away, and I was staying with somebody in ‘the sound of Bow bells’. I do remember getting the job and getting the call. I remember that quite clearly. It was just so exciting.”
Growing up in the limelight as a young star on EastEnders, Letitia faced harsh criticism over her appearance and weight, which took a toll on her marketability and self-esteem. She revealed that the relentless scrutiny led her to undergo breast reduction surgery.
During an intimate chat on Secrets from the Square, Letitia opened up about her experiences with early fame and dealing with negativity. Reflecting on the pressures faced by today’s youth, she observed, “I think it’s probably harder for the youngsters today, it’s a very different time now with social media and all that business.”
She also disclosed some of the cruel jibes thrown at her back in the day: “I had quite a lot of horrible things said about me. ‘She’s too fat, the other actors complain they can’t fit on the same set with her’.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
