EASTENDERS brought back two legendary characters from beyond the grave ahead of the soap’s landmark 40th anniversary.

Tuesday’s episode saw several Walford residents take a trip down memory lane.

Original characters Arthur (Bill Treacher) and Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) made a special appearance.

Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) – girlfriend of their son Martin (James Bye) – tracked down an old tape of the pair appearing on game show Cat and Mouse in 1989.

Pauline signed Arthur up as a contestant on the fictitious programme, while she sat in the audience.

Martin and Ruby were joined by friends and family in the Queen Vic as they watched the classic episode.

In emotional scenes, Martin – the last remaining adult Fowler in the soap – showed his parents to his own children.

This included young son Arthur seeing his namesake for the first time.

Elsewhere, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) recalled seeing the game show episode when it aired live.

While Ian (Adam Woodyatt) proudly pointed out his relatives to Priya (Sophie Khan Levy).

Fans were very moved to see Pauline and Arthur – sharing their emotion on social media.

One wrote: “i’m not crying, you are x #eastenders.”

Another added: “How lovely to see Pauline and Arthur feature in #Eastenders – a fitting little recognition of two iconic characters as the 40th is marked.

“Brilliant way to do it too. And great seeing a beaming Martin watching them with such joy.”

As a third suggested: “@bbceastenders you HAVE to upload Arthur’s game show episode under Classic EastEnders now!!”

Bill Treacher appeared regularly as Arthur for over a decade, from 1985 until 1996.

The actor passed away in November 2022, at the age of 92

Meanwhile, Wendy Richard starred as matriarch Pauline from 1985 to 2006.

She sadly died of breast cancer in 2009, at 65 years of age.

A final poignant touch saw Bill and Wendy credited together for the first time in decades.

EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.