Watts family
When "EastEnders" began in 1985, the soap focused primarily around the affairs of three families: the Beales, Fowlers, and Watts. However, much of the show's early success stemmed from the drama surrounding the Watts, especially the antics of Den, who as owners of the Queen Vic pub (the show's most prominent set) were usually in the limelight. This prominence, at a time when "EastEnders" was at its most prolific in terms of both the media and audience, meant the Watts became perhaps "EastEnders" most eminent family and the characters known even to those who did not watch the show. Such was their success that producers went ahead with an experimental episode format centring on just Den and Angie, during which Angie lied about having cancer; so successful was the airing that it has since been repeated, and the format expanded to include "three" and "four-handers" (between 3 and 4 characters). Such episodes are highly prestigious and feature only the most popular and prominent characters in the show; thus, all the Watts, aside from Vicki, have featured in such episodes.
Michael Ferguson (director)
Michael Ferguson (born 14 June 1937) is a British script writer, television director and television producer. Ferguson was executive producer of the BBC soap opera, "EastEnders" between 1989 and 1991. He was responsible for the introduction of two of the soap's most popular and long-running characters, Phil and Grant Mitchell, in 1990. He also directed and produced ITV's popular police drama "The Bill", and directed four serials of the BBC's science fiction series "Doctor Who" between 1966 and 1971.