EASTENDERS: JOSHUA VAUGHAN AND DAWN STEELE JOIN CAST OF BBC SOAP

Zoe Slater is in for a shock this month when her long lost son and Jasmine’s twin brother, Josh (Joshua Vaughan) arrives in Walford having followed his adopted mother Sandra Goodwin (Dawn Steele) to Albert Square.

Sandra turns up seeking answers about Jasmine, unveiling new details from her past and insight into Sandra's version of events. Meanwhile, and unbeknownst to Sandra, Josh has followed her to Walford looking for her, not knowing his birth family are closer than he realises.

Having garnered a fantastic career that spans over 25 years including prominent roles in Holby City and Wild at Heart, Steele joins for a short stint as Walford welcomes her and rising star talent Joshua Vaughan to the cast. With Jasmine’s future hanging in the balance and emotions at an all-time high, their arrival is set to cause repercussions for everyone involved.

On joining the cast, Joshua Vaughan said: “It has been incredibly humbling to join the cast of EastEnders and find myself at the intersection of the iconic Trueman and Slater families. Getting to work alongside such legacy actors is a masterclass, and I’ve learned so much from them. Josh is a big ball of love and I’m so excited for the audience to see the drama unfold as he arrives onto the Square”.

Dawn Steele added: “I was thrilled to be asked to play the role of Sandra who arrives and throws a spanner or two into the Square! It was so great to go back to Elstree after the end of Holby City. Lots of the same crew (and a few cast!) are still there so it was joyful to see them all again...

"Everyone was so welcoming and I really enjoyed learning new ways of filming, it really is a well-oiled machine, and everyone works so hard. But it was Sandra’s storyline and character that really made me want to do it and I’m sure viewers will be thrilled with another piece of the puzzle ahead of the trial, Sandra’s timing couldn’t be better, or worse…”

Executive Producer, Ben Wadey said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Dawn Steele and Josh Vaughan to EastEnders as they step into the roles of Sandra and Josh Goodwin. Since her return last year, Zoe has searched for her long‑lost son, and we’re excited to finally add the missing pieces to her story. As always with the Slaters and Truemans, nothing is ever straightforward, and the arrival of Sandra and Josh promises even more drama for Walford at a pivotal moment as Jasmine’s trial begins”.

EastEnders continues on BBC One.