EastEnders' original 1980s cast pictured by Watford snapper

A photographer from this newspaper swapped Watford for Walford on October 10, 1984 when a press reception was held at the BBC Elstree studios to introduce the media to the cast of ‘East 8’.

That was working title for what would become the hugely successful EastEnders that is still going strong almost 40 years later.

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Pete Beale joins the female characters at the front while the men take a back seat (Image: Watford Observer)

Take a look at these pictures from our archive from when the media met the actors, some of whom were already established stars, that would go on to portray characters who would become among the most popular and best-loved in British TV history.

The female members of the cast gather round the Albert Square sign (Image: Watford Observer)

Gillian Taylforth (aka Kathy Beale) talks to the media (Image: Watford Observer)

The late Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher who played Pauline and Arthur Fowler (Image: Watford Observer)

The crew are still busy painting the Queen Vic as Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) smile for the cameras (Image: Watford Observer)

Enjoying a knees up on the set (Image: Watford Observer)

The cast assembled in Albert Square (Image: Watford Observer)