Dominic Treadwell-Collins wanted to cast Benedict Cumberbatch in 'EastEnders'.

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch

The executive producer of the BBC One soap was very keen to bring the 'Sherlock' actor to Albert Square for a few episodes before he leaves the job.

However, he ultimately discarded the idea of the 39-year-old Oscar nominee having a drink in the Queen Vic pub as he thought it would be "too flashy".

In an interview with Radio Times magazine, Dominic shared: "I thought about the idea of some stunt casting. Ben Cumberbatch has said that he seriously wanted to do 'EastEnders' if he had the time. So I toyed with him for a while. But it would have been too unreal and flashy. I've got to think about the show going on."

Benedict - who married actress Sophie Hunter last year - and Dominic had a prior relationship before making their living in showbusiness as they both attended Harrow School in London with the 'Doctor Strange' star being in the year above the producer.

Dominic announced he was leaving 'EastEnders' in February and is bowing out with a gripping storyline which sees Dame Barbara Windsor return as Peggy Mitchell for the character's death.

Ross Kemp is also making a return to Walford as her son Grant Mitchell and Danniella Westbrook as her daughter Sam Mitchell.

During his time in charge of the show, Dominic, 38, was responsible for making a lot of changes and introducing new characters with The Carter family, headed up by Danny Dyer as Mick Carter, being his biggest success.

He believes the addition of that new soap family will be what he will be remembered for.

Dominic mused: "The Carters will be my legacy. If you look back a lot of people were doubtful about Danny coming in, as they were about Barbara, funnily enough. But we proved everybody wrong. I also hope my regime will be seen as one that was important to 'EastEnders' in this decade. I wanted 'EastEnders' to be talked about and for it to feel relevant. When I began it wasn't love by the audience and I hope that now it it."

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