EastEnders fans could barely express their excitement as one of the soap’s long-serving extras got to say a line.
Winston, played by Ulric Browne, has been in Albert Square for years – but has a background role and little to say.
However, in Monday night’s instalment of the BBC soap, he broke his silence.
Walford’s residents were gathered to hear Mick Carter explain the Queen Vic’s money troubles. Mick made a good-natured joke about Winston and he replied: “Cheers, pal.”
“WINSTON SPOKE!!!” said one surprised viewer on Twitter, while many others noted it was probably his only line of the year.
“#EastEnders great to hear winston speak this decade,” said another.
“Buzzing for Winston getting a speaking line in Easties tonight,” one said.
The character’s lack of lines does not appear to have dented his popularity.
Many viewers wrote fond messages about Winston on hearing the rare line.
“WINSTON! It’s been so long since we’ve seen him. I see he gave an acting masterclass as usual, what an icon,” one fan tweeted.
“Omg Winston got a line #Eastenders big up Winster!” said another.