<P> The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1985, by order of first appearance . They were all introduced by executive producer Julia Smith . The first episode of EastEnders was broadcast on 19 February 1985, and twenty - three main characters were already created for their first appearance . The first character to be seen was Den Watts, followed by Ali Osman and then Arthur Fowler, all of whom find Reg Cox dying in his flat . Ethel Skinner, Harold Legg and Pauline Fowler appear, after Den alerts them of Reg's death . With Ethel is her pug Willy along with Lou Beale . Saeed and Naima Jeffery are seen working in the local shop whilst Angie Watts is seen in The Queen Victoria, Walford's local pub . Nick Cotton and Sue Osman are next seen, whilst Pete and Kathy Beale work at the fruit and veg stall and Hassan Osman is seen with his parents in the café . Sharon Watts, Ian Beale and Michelle Fowler are next seen and Mark Fowler is seen going into the bookies . Lastly, Roly the dog is seen in the pub when a fight breaks out . </P> <P> Lofty Holloway is introduced on 26 February along with Terry Rich, and Tony Carpenter is introduced on 28 February . Mary Smith and her daughter Annie are introduced on 5 March . Tony's son Kelvin is introduced on 12 March . Andy O'Brien is introduced on 21 March along with Debbie Wilkins . Chris Smith was introduced on 7 May and Mehmet Osman was introduced on 13 June as a recurring character . Hannah Carpenter arrived on 25 June as Tony's wife and Dot Cotton was introduced on 4 July followed by Ernie Mears on 16 July . Detective Sergeant Roy Quick was introduced on 20 August as Walford's detective . Martin Fowler was born on 30 July and Simon Wicks arrived on 5 October . Lastly, the wife of Mehmet, Guizin Osman arrived on 22 October, and Cassie Carpenter arrived as the daughter of Hannah and Tony . </P>

Who died in the first episode of eastenders