EastEnders' most iconic pets and their tragic ends after axe from BBC soap

Daily Record

21-05-2025

As fans remember more than four decades of drama in Albert Square, much has been written about the original 1985 cast - including two non-human stars who played pivotal roles
As fans of EastEnders reminisce over four decades of drama in Albert Square, much attention has been given to the original 1985 cast - a group of actors who helped establish what would become one of Britain's most iconic TV shows. The original human stars - many of whom are no longer part of the soap - grounded the programme's gritty, working-class realism, often exploring intricate family struggles and social tensions.
However, amidst the soap's intricate web of secrets, betrayals and family feuds, two non-human stars played crucial roles in the earliest episodes: Roly the poodle and Willy the pug, reports Surrey Live.
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Here's everything you need to know about the iconic EastEnders dogs:
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Roly
Roly was never intended 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 cherished 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 neglected their daughter Sharon, they confided in Roly. Nonetheless, 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 discover Pat Wicks after she was attacked by the so-called Walford Ripper. A year later, he barked incessantly until someone discovered Eddie Royle after he'd been stabbed and left for dead.
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 unknown man at a canal for privacy.
But as she approached the car, out bounded Roly, revealing that the father was none other than Den Watts - her best mate 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.
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In real life, the dog belonged to EastEnders co-creator Julia Smith, and tragically died in 1995 following surgery to treat breathing problems 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.
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He once nicked the Fowler family's Christmas turkey and had a habit of ruining pavements, much 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.
In one plot twist, Willy ran away and was sold to a new owner by a pet shop who renamed him Rasputin. It was only due to Lou Beale's efforts that Willy was eventually returned to Ethel.
Willy stayed in the series until 1992, when his character was put down due to old age. In a twist of fate, the real dog passed away just two weeks later.
Before his time 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 cherished books by Arthur Ransome.