EastEnders made an urgent change to its opening scenes on Monday night to honour the Queen, with Kellie Bright's character Linda saying it was like 'we've all lost our Nan.'
By the time the show went out on air, it had been four days since Her Majesty's passing at Balmoral, at the age of 96, with EastEnders one of a number of shows that were taken off BBC One on Thursday and Friday as the channel focused on rolling coverage on tributes and the events that followed.
The long-running soap was back on Monday, as the BBC announced that all this week's episodes were available on iPlayer and the opening moments of the programme saw the show make a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
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Former Strictly finalist Kellie was joined by EastEnders co-stars Dianne Parish (Denise) and Gillian Taylforth (Kathy) as opening titles rolled, with the trio gathered in the Queen Vic, looking at a picture of the late monarch that stood on the famous bar top.
"God bless her," Kathy started, before Denise replied "She's been there our whole lives - it's like she's everything I've ever known."
"We've all lost our nan," said dedicated Royalist Linda. "She dedicated her entire life to serving us."
The characters then talked about their memories of the Royal Family, including the now King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla's visit to Albert Square earlier this year.
Viewers watching Monday's EastEnders were quick to react, with one taking to Twitter to post: "EastEnders tribute to the Queen was so beautiful and what we've all been thinking, she was the nan we all shared and we thank you your majesty for everything." S second tweeted: "What a nice touch to the start of tonight’s episode, Linda, Kathy and Denise paying respects to Our Queen."
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