June Whitfield will play a nun in EastEnders.

June Whitfield

June Whitfield

The 89-year-old actress - who is set to make a guest appearance in the BBC One soap - will join the Albert Square residents as a sister who tries to console Kat Moon, played by Jessie Wallace, by offering her a drink after she is forced to remember her past in an upcoming storyline, reports The Sun newspaper.

The 'Absolutely Fabulous' star's scenes will air in May 2015 and June confessed she is "very excited" to be a part of the show.

She said: "I have watched 'EastEnders' for years, and have been so impressed by the standard of acting. It was an absolute delight to work with Jessie Wallace and I am very excited to be part of the show."

Also set to make a guest appearance on the popular soap is 'Howards' Way' actress Jan Harvey who will star in scenes opposite Sharon Mitchell, played by Letitia Dean, next month.

Jan said: "I loved working on such an iconic show. Everyone was so welcoming. 'EastEnders' is really like one big family".

Bosses are currently keeping the upcoming storylines under wraps but executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins was thrilled to have June and Jan on-set.

He said: "We are extremely privileged to have two British television legends joining us for guest roles as Albert Square heads into the Spring. Both June and Jan are class acts, bringing warmth and humanity to two characters who will shed some light on the past of two of our most iconic women - Sharon Mitchell and Kat Moon - changing both their lives in very different ways..."