Letitia Dean wows in trailer as Sharon Watts returns to EastEnders with notable weight loss

EastEnders’ latest trailer puts Sharon Watts back on Albert Square, and Letitia Dean, 57, is pictured with a noticeably slimmer figure in skin-tight black trousers, paired with a lace top and heels. In the clip, Sharon steps from a taxi with her son Albie and comes face to face with Zoe Slater, the killer of her father Den, who has also returned to Walford after nearly two decades.

Dean has previously discussed her weight-loss journey, saying she shed two stone — from about 10st 4lbs to 8st 3lbs — and dropped four dress sizes in roughly a year by prioritising health and cutting out junk food. In recent years she has described adopting a more sustainable routine, including running and boxercise, and avoiding fad diets that can prompt yo-yo weight changes. She has said she now aims for around 1,300 calories a day and favors a steady regimen of grilled skinless chicken and plenty of greens. In earlier interviews, including a 2007 chat with Closer, she spoke about how cutting junk food gave her more energy and helped her feel better overall.

The actor has stressed that the weight loss was achieved through long-term lifestyle changes rather than crash dieting, and she notes the importance of sustainable habits over quick fixes. The National Health Service guidelines commonly cited for daily intake sit around 2,000 calories for most women and 2,500 calories for men, though individual needs vary. The trailer’s focus on Sharon’s return comes as viewers also see other UK television news swirling around the EastEnders world.

In related casting news, Shane Richie, who has played Alfie Moon on and off since 2002, has taken a leading role in Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington this December through January 10. A source told The Sun that Richie's EastEnders absence will be brief and won’t affect his on-screen time, with rehearsals under way through the festive period. Independent outlets noted that BBC has been contacted for comment on the schedule.

Meanwhile, Balvinder Sopal, known to EastEnders viewers as Suki Panesar, revealed she sustained a thigh injury just two days into Strictly rehearsals. She posted to social media that she heard something pop during a routine and would be seeing the show’s medical team. She praised the professional dancers and said the preparation is among the hardest she has ever worked, highlighting the strenuous nature of the upcoming season as the show approaches its official kickoff.

The mixed set of announcements reflects a busy period for British television talent, with stars juggling soap comebacks, festive stage commitments and high-intensity dance rehearsals ahead of seasonal broadcasts.