<P> EastEnders has been praised for its portrayal of characters with disabilities, including Adam Best (spina bifida), Noah Chambers (deaf), Jean Slater and her daughter Stacey (bipolar disorder), Janet Mitchell (Down syndrome) and Jim Branning (stroke). The show also features a large number of gay, lesbian and bisexual characters (see list of soap operas with LGBT characters), including Colin Russell, Barry Clark, Simon Raymond, Tony Hills, Sonia Fowler, Naomi Julien, Tina Carter, Tosh Mackintosh, Ben Mitchell and Paul Coker . Kyle Slater, a transgender character, was introduced in 2015 . </P> <P> EastEnders has a high cast turnover and characters are regularly changed to facilitate storylines or refresh the format . The show has also become known for the return of characters after they have left the show . Sharon Rickman returned in August 2012 for her third stint on the show . Den Watts returned 14 years after he was believed to have died, a feat repeated by Kathy Beale in 2015 . Speaking extras, including Tracey the barmaid (who has been in the show since the first episode in 1985), have made appearances throughout the show's duration, without being the focus of any major storylines . The character of Nick Cotton gained a reputation for making constant exits and returns since the programme's first year, until the character's death in 2015 . </P> <P> As of May 2018, Adam Woodyatt, Gillian Taylforth and Letitia Dean are the only members of the original cast remaining in the show, in their roles of Ian Beale, Kathy Beale and Sharon Watts respectively . Ian Beale is the only character to have appeared continuously from the first episode without officially leaving, and is the longest - serving character in EastEnders . Dot Cotton is the longest - serving female character in the show having served since 1985, whilst Pat Butcher is the longest - serving former character, appearing from 1986 until 2012 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs to be updated . Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information . (April 2017) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who has been in the most episodes of eastenders