Dean Gaffney used to always keep a chipolata in his pocket on the 'EastEnders' set.

Dean Gaffney

Dean Gaffney

The soap star - who played Robbie Jackson on the BBC One show from 1993 to 2003, before returning in 2017 for another two-year stint - would make sure he was well stocked for mid-filming snacks on Albert Square in case his character's pet pooch Wellard felt peckish.

Speaking on 'Celebs Go Dating', he said: "I would always have snacks. Like little chipolata sausages in my pocket."

The Channel 4 programme's receptionist Tom Read Wilson quipped: "It's always good to have a sausage in your pocket."

Not one to miss an opportunity, the dating show's narrator Rob Beckett joked the chipolata was the reason Dot Cotton wouldn't act out any scenes with him.

He teased: "Apparently that's why Dot Cotton refused to do any scenes with him - and wouldn't wash his clothes."

June Brown - who has played Dot for 35 years - previously insisted she is done with life on the soap and turned down a "retainer", which would have allowed her to return in the future despite not being on set since November.

She recently said: "I don't want a retainer for 'EastEnders', I've left. I've left for good.

"I've sent her off to Ireland where she'll stay. I've left 'EastEnders'. I did make up a limerick. It's a bit dirty.

"I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke.

"I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back."