who has been in the most episodes of eastenders
EastEnders As of May 2018[update], Adam Woodyatt, Gillian Taylforth and Letitia Dean are the only members of the original cast remaining in the show, in their roles of Ian Beale, Kathy Beale and Sharon Watts respectively. Ian Beale is the only character to have appeared continuously from the first episode without officially leaving, and is the longest-serving character in EastEnders. [133] Dot Cotton is the longest-serving female character in the show having served since 1985,[134] whilst Pat Butcher is the longest-serving former character, appearing from 1986 until 2012.[citation needed]
Ben Mitchell (EastEnders) Ben's storylines include a feud between the show's Mitchell and Beale families for his custody; developing a love of dance and the arts, which is a source of tension between him and his father, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden); being physically and mentally abused by his father's girlfriend Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson); struggling to come to terms with his homosexuality and then attempting to hide it; unintentionally killing Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison); having a daughter, Lexi Pearce, with Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold); a relationship with Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald), while having a secret relationship with Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), who he had a relationship with when he came out; being involved in a homophobic attack which caused Paul's death and romantically involved with Luke Browning (Adam Astill), the son of rapist James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde).