EASTENDERS’ Janine Butcher and Coronation Street’s Steve McDonald will appear on First Dates later this month in a truly hilarious soap crossover.
As part of this year’s Children in Need, iconic soap characters Janine – played by Charlie Brooks – and Steve – portrayed by Simon Gregson – have filmed a sketch of the pair dating in the First Dates restaurant.
Desperate to find love after rotten luck in Walford, Janine turns to Channel 4’s hit dating show to help with her search.
However, in an unexpected twist, she comes face-to-face with Corrie’s Steve – married a staggering seven times – who unwittingly finds himself on a date with the fiery personality.
The pair are also greeted by lovable French host Fred Sirieix who is on hand to watch the turbulent blind date play out.
In a first-look clip, the pair share a somewhat awkward introduction at the bar, before Janine asks Steve what he does for a living.
“Um, drive a cab – got me own firm,” Steve replies, with Janine exclaiming: “Really? My dad used to own a cab firm. But he was most happy when he ran the pub.”
At this point, Steve interjects: “I used to run a pub,” and Janine says: “That is such a coincidence,” before ordering a vodka tonic from the bar.
The topic of conversation soon turns to past relationships, where Steve reveals he’s been married seven times, with Janine looking far from impressed.
She then appears to choke on her drink and asks: “So you’re not afraid of commitment then?”
And with the last line of the clip, Steve retorts: “Or the divorce courts.”
After leaving EastEnders in 2014, Charlie returned to Albert Square this year and has already been making waves with a series of explosive storylines.
Meanwhile, Simon – who has played Steve on the cobbles since 1989 – is rumoured to be taking part in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here this year.
The First Dates special will air on both BBC One and BBC Two on Friday, 19 November from 7pm to 10pm.
