Letitia Dean, a beloved figure from EastEnders, had a previous marriage to a TV personality that ended in an unfortunate divorce. Fans of the long-running BBC soap opera welcomed her return as Sharon Watts to Walford on July 9. Letitia has been a prominent character on the show since its inception in 1985.

Sharon’s character has been entangled in various dramatic storylines over the years, from her involvement with the Mitchell brothers to conspiring to murder Ian Beale and facing personal tragedies such as the loss of her son Denny and covering up Keanu Taylor’s death.

Looking beyond the on-screen drama, Letitia’s early life involved training in dance and theater at prestigious institutions. The 58-year-old actress, hailing from Potters Bar, first portrayed Sharon from 1985 to 1995 and then returned to the role in 2001 before another comeback in 2012.

In a candid interview on the EastEnders spin-off show, Letitia revealed that she misled producers about her background to secure the role of Sharon Watts. She confessed to fabricating details about being a true Cockney to meet the casting requirements.

Letitia’s personal life took center stage in 2001 when news broke of her engagement to Jason Pethers, known for his role in Holby City. After a whirlwind romance, they exchanged vows in 2002 but unfortunately parted ways in 2007 due to differing views on starting a family.

Reflecting on her past relationship, Letitia expressed gratitude for the time spent with Jason and acknowledged that sometimes paths diverge in life. Despite the separation, she maintained a positive outlook on the experience.

Since the breakup, Letitia has maintained privacy regarding her romantic life. EastEnders continues to captivate audiences on BBC One and iPlayer from Monday to Thursday.