Pat Butcher and Angie Watts are making surprise EastEnders returns for the 40th anniversary – but not as you may think.

Actresses Pam St Clement and Anita Dobson are both set to feature in a new documentary fronted by Ross Kemp to mark the BBC soap’s big milestone next month.

Original Queen Vic landlady Anita will be reunited with her on-screen daughter Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon Watts for a trip down memory lane.

Pam will also share an insight into her 28 years playing Walford’s resident earring connoisseur Pat.

In the special one-hour documentary – titled EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square – Ross will go behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.

The actor, who is also reprising his role as legendary hardman Grant Mitchell as part of the celebrations, also speak to some of the actors who were directly involved in the show’s most poignant and ground-breaking plots, including the first kiss between two gay men on British television, Kat Slater’s historical abuse storyline and Mark Fowler and Zack Hudson’s HIV diagnoses, among many more.

Letitia and fellow original cast members Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) and Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Cotton) will also reminisce on their early days in E20.

‘It was a privilege to be asked to present this documentary, celebrating 40 years of EastEnders,’ Ross said.

‘During the making of it, I was constantly reminded of the impact EastEnders has, not only on the cast and everyone that works on the show, but also on the audience, as well as the effect it has had culturally in the United Kingdom.

‘It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with some of my dear friends – old and new – and celebrate this special anniversary, it was an absolute honour.’