 One of the most popular characters in the early years of "EastEnders" was Den Watts, played by Leslie Grantham.The character was deemed so popular by the producers of the serial, that when Grantham announced he was quitting the soap in November 1987, creators Julia Smith and Tony Holland devised a storyline that would keep the character on screen for a further year, while only requiring Grantham to commit to a couple of months filming.This was done by sending Den to prison on remand and mixing the previously filmed prison storyline in with the current happenings in Albert Square.