Eastenders bosses have said they intend to defy the smoking ban which will come into effect later this year. The legislation will ban smoking in all work places, and that will include Albert Square, even though it is outdoors.

But a boss on the BBC soap said they would defy the ban despite the fact they could be fined £2,500 each time a character lights up, saying: “We will fight it. We have to portray real life - and people smoke.”

I just can’t imagine Dot Cotton/Branning without a ciggie in her hand…can you?