When you think of soaps, you think of tense drama, explosive storylines and killers being exposed.
But sometimes a character can transcend the storyline and become a fashion icon. Just like EastEnders ' Sharon Mitchell.
Actress Letitia Dean has played the role in the BBC soap since Sharon's first appearance in 1985, after making appearances in Grange Hill and Liverpool soap Brookside.
She had set her heart on acting from a young age, attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, and began her career early when she was cast as Pepper in stage musical Annie aged 12.
But it was EastEnders that propelled the actress to become a household name with dramatic love triangles like 'Sharongate' where she cheated on her husband Grant Michell with his brother Phill.
She played the role for ten years until 1995 before taking a break to pursue other projects where she took on roles in Doctors, Casualty and The Bill.
But due to the popularity of the character Sharon, Letitia was convinced to come back to the East End in 2001.
Sharon came back to Albert Square until 2006 when the actress left the soap again - but she was always due to return.
During her break, Letitia took part in BBC's fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2007. Paired with professional dancer Darren Bennett, the couple made it to the quarter-finals with her impressing the judges with her improvements over the weeks.
She then also went on to do the live Strictly tour in 2008 with fellow EastEnders cast members Louisa Lytton, who plays Ruby Allen, and Matt Di Angelo, who played Deano Wicks.
In 2012, Letitia reprised the role of Sharon for a third time, and now in the world of social media fan accounts dedicated to character sprang up across Instagram and Twitter with avid followers gushing over style.
With her sleek blonde locks, love of a smoky eye and a tendency to wear black, many have fallen in love with her fashion choices.
One Instagram account 'teamletiitiadean' has over 16,000 followers and use the hashtag #QueenDean alongside their fan website 'It's All Letitia Dean'.
Keshia Morgan who helps run the account said: "Well, Letitia’s fabulous and undeniably camp in everything she does, Letitia is very much old-school when it comes to EastEnders and the character of ‘Sharon Watts’ is definitely a first thought when it comes to thinking about EastEnders .
"Letitia has such a beautiful soul and has been an absolute sweetheart to every fan that I have spoken to that has met her in the past.
"Personally, I think she has the most beautiful nature about her and her smile is the brightest I have ever seen, her presence alone brings me so much joy that I felt she needed to be celebrated, even if I ended up being the only one who paid attention to it."
But she isn't the only one with many going wild on Twitter when Sharon graces the screen.
When Sharon returned from Australia to Albert Square in January, viewers of the show were distracted by her new fur coat.
One said on Twitter: "Obsessed with Sharon’s new fur coat. Where do I get one!"
Another said: "Queen Sharon is back with a new jacket ready to rule over her Queendom! All hail the Queen."
And a third said: "Sharon serving vintage face tonight. And don't start me on that new fur coat. How regal #EastEnders "
Although her choice of headwear has not always gone down well. Back in February, Sharon was trying to keep warm with a black beret , hung low on the right side of her face.
But it seemed her fancy headgear was giving off fashion fail, rather than French chic.
One fan on Twitter said: "The absolute state of Sharon in her berét. Is she going to France?"
Another said: "Sharon Watts still pushing style boundaries."
But some thought it was a winner, one added: "I’m sorry but Sharons iconic new hat totally eclipsed any emotion I was supposed to feel for Dr Legg’s death. The stunning garment totally captivated me, it stole the episode. Beautifully worn."
Viewers have loved her on-going love triangle storyline with toyboy lover Keanu and are expecting a big reveal of who is really the father of her unborn baby this Christmas.
Writer Kate Oates recently confirmed the festive season will be "huge".
She said: "Much of it will circulate around a very complicated and messy love affair — so expect some major Sheanu drama as it all explodes….but we’ve got some twists and surprises in that story which last right through to New Year."
