As EastEnders fans reflect on over four decades of drama in Albert Square, much has been written about the original 1985 cast – a group of actors who helped launch what would become one of Britain’s most iconic TV shows.

The original human stars – many of who are no longer in the soap – anchored the programme’s gritty, working-class realism, often drawing on complex family struggles and social tensions.

But amid the soap’s tangled web of secrets, betrayals and family feuds, two non-human stars played pivotal roles in the earliest episodes: Roly the poodle and Willy the pug.

Here’s everyone you need to know about the iconic EastEnders dogs:

Roly

Roly was never meant to be in the show. Producers initially sought a German Shepherd named Prince, but when they couldn’t find one that blended well with the set’s lighting, a seven-month-old standard poodle stepped in.

Roly became the beloved pet of Den and Angie Watts, and from the very first episode in 1985, he was a familiar face (or tail?) running around the Queen Vic. While Den and Angie often ignored their daughter Sharon, they confided in Roly.

Nevertheless, the poodle was more than just a background prop – he got involved in key storylines, and even saved lives. In 1987, Roly was the first to find Pat Wicks after she was attacked by the so-called Walford Ripper.

A year later, he barked furiously until someone discovered Eddie Royle after he’d been stabbed and left to die. Perhaps Roly’s most iconic moment came in the show’s earliest mystery – the identity of teenage Michelle Fowler’s baby’s father.

After months of secrecy, Michelle arranged to meet the mystery man at a canal in a bid for privacy. But as she approached the car, out bounded Roly, revealing that the father was none other than Den Watts – her best friend Sharon’s adoptive dad.

Roly remained on the show until 1993, when his character was killed off after being run over while chasing a cat. In real life, the dog belonged to EastEnders co-creator Julia Smith, and tragically died in 1995 following surgery to treat breathing issues brought on by a heatwave.

He had been retired for two years before his death.

Willy

Willy, the mischievous pug owned by Ethel Skinner, was cast just a week before filming began – like Roly – and quickly became one of the show’s most recognisable animal faces. Originally called Phillip in early scripts, Willy was spoiled, greedy, and frequently got himself into trouble.

He once stole the Fowler family’s Christmas turkey and had a habit of ruining pavements, to the despair of Dr. Legg. Still, Ethel adored him – her love for Willy was so fierce that she turned down two marriage proposals from men who demanded she choose between them and her dog.

Powered by In one storyline, Willy ran away and was sold by a pet shop to a new owner who renamed him Rasputin. It was only thanks to Lou Beale’s efforts that Willy was eventually returned to Ethel.

Willy remained in the series until 1992, when his character was put down due to old age. As fate would have it, the real dog died just two weeks later.

Before his stint in EastEnders, Willy had already made a name for himself, playing William the pug in the 1984 BBC adaptation of Swallows and Amazons Forever! based on the beloved books by Arthur Ransome.