Pauline McLynn
Pauline McLynn signed up for a role on EastEnders so she could work with June Brown.
The Irish actress makes her on-screen debut in tonight's episode as Yvonne Cotton - the mother of Dot Branning's mysterious grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) - and she admits she was initially reluctant to join the BBC One soap until she learned she would work with the Walford legend.
Quizzed about working with June, Pauline said: "That's why I'm there, I'll be honest with you. Sometimes you get a bit conflicted, thinking, do I want to be in something that's so iconic? And will I ever want to watch it again? Because that's my favourite soap.
"They said, 'Well, it would be a Dot Cotton storyline.' By the time they finished saying the word 'Dot', I said, 'I'll be there.'
"She's a goddess, really. She's done it all. I spent a day working with her in her [character's] living room and her kitchen, and just to see her working - the woman is 88-years-old and she's a dynamo!"
While Pauline is best known for her comedy roles - including the beloved Mrs Doyle in 'Father Ted' - she's excited to play a more serious character.
Appearing on ITV's 'Lorraine' this morning, she said: "She's a very dour woman. If she smiles at you, you're really in trouble then! I see a lot of people on social media going, 'There must be a bit of comedy coming to EastEnders' ... not with me there ain't!
"It's fabulous for me, because she's this stone-faced woman."
Tagged in June Brown