After appearing as Sharon Watts in the inaugural episode of EastEnders in 1985, Letitia Dean has been one of the show’s longest-running actors.
The 55-year-old soap star from Potters Bar originally started out as Sharon and played the character until 1995. She then returned to the Square for a second time from 2001 to 2006, and she’s been at the center of all the action ever since.
She truly is the crowning glory of Walford and one of the most recognizable figures in contemporary British television. Unquestionably, Letitia Dean is a TV legend.
The blonde bombshell has seen it all, so viewers of the BBC One soap opera will feel as though they know Sharon intimately.
There is nothing Sharon hasn’t been involved in, from the infamous Sharongate relationship with the Mitchell brothers in the 1990s to her attempt on Ian Beale’s life and the loss of her son Denny.
The ascent to stardom of Letitia
Letitia, a Hertfordshire native, and her brother Stephen first enrolled in The Sylvia Mitchell School of Dance when they were young.
At age 10, they then transferred to the prestigious Italia Conti Academy Theatre Arts. She started working as a professional performer in her early teens and was cast in popular series, including Brookside and Grange Hill.
Letitia said she lied to producers to get her job as Sharon Watts when she appeared with Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) on the EastEnders spin-off series Secrets from the Square in 2020.
“I don’t really remember the audition that well”, Letitia admitted. “I am aware that many products were recalled. They were searching everywhere.”
Is Letitia Dean leaving EastEnders?
Letitia Dean’s iconic character, Sharon Watts from EastEnders, might be departing the Square as a result of a startling offer that she might not be able to turn down.
Since Sharon’s former boyfriend Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) moved back to Walford in 2022, her love life has been anything but a fairytale.
The two started dating in 2018 after having a sensual liaison when Sharon was still married to Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who gave birth to Albie.
However, since Sharon and Keanu got back together, their road to happiness hasn’t been smooth because they’ve encountered a number of painful revelations at every turn of their connection.
When Sharon learned that Keanu had an affair with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) in Portugal, she almost put an end to the relationship.
Is Letitia Dean married?
Letitia typically keeps her personal life out of the spotlight and doesn’t say much about her romances.
But she made headlines in 2001 when it was made public that she was engaged to Jason Pethers, who is arguably best known for playing Rob Greening in the television series Holby City.
The couple wed in 2002. However, the TV stars’ marriage did not last, as they separated in 2007. At the time of her breakup, the EastEnders actress was competing in Strictly Come Dancing’s fifth season.
Letitia wanted children, but Jason’s mother, Joan, said her husband wished to wait before seeing their family expand, according to the Daily Mirror.
They both desired children, but Jason preferred to wait until he had the means to do so, she stated. She was far wealthier than he was. Like any male, I believe he wanted to take care of his wife.
They were content. It wasn’t anything dramatic; they didn’t find anyone else. I suppose they simply temporarily grew apart. Letitia hasn’t made a second romance public since they split up.
