Can I ask though, I have seen posts on here and other places saying about Jane/Shirley/Mick being overused because they are high in the count and there places have be used as a negative, but when Sharon is top, it's a positive thing and she isn't overused? I can't quite understand how that works. Not a dig at any character or person, just her genuine question.

It's criminal how low Denise is. I would like more Denise.

I never said Jane or Mick is overused? If I did, I can't remember. I said it's nice that she's top for the first time in 3 years. It won't last

Denise needs more airtime

why is Tina so high up? Its criminal - she just shoves her face into every scene.

I know you didn't mention those two specifically, but I have seen others on various platforms mention them. You have mentioned Shirley specifically and have used the character count as a means of saying that she has been overused. Does this then mean that you would consider Sharon overused? And Mick/Jane for that matter? I've said on numerous occasions that I don't think count is indicative of usage but others seem to think it is.

I am hoping that 2016 will be Denise's year, she desperately needs some material. I would hate for Diane Parish to leave the show.

Yes, Shazza is overused, she been used a lot in the Beale s/l and could benefit for a rest, although unlikely to be yet with this Kathy/Gavin s/l/.

Denise desperately needs a storyline and I hope DTC takes heed of that and gives her something fitting of her character and Jay is another one who should take centre stage next year.

My post wasn't any kind of dig at anyone by the way, it was just genuinely asking so thanks for the honest response.

Denise really is in a need of a story, as is Jay, I agree. They are both strong characters and actors and it baffles me why DTC has demoted them to glorified extras.

I know She been overused and along with Ian and Jane and could do with a break for a few weeks.

It is baffling but then if you look at the treatment of Lola, it's a bit telling I think.

Of course, Sharon is overused at the moment. She's been very prominent for a while and it looks she won't appear in any episodes in 2 weeks time. But she has a massive week coming up (26th-30th October). But she does need a break. To be fair, she was offscreen in March and June.

Denise definitely needs a big storyline. Diane Parish is a glorified extra and it's disgusting that Kim is getting more airtime than Denise. I don't have a problem with Kim but Diane Parish is more experienced than Tameka Empson and she should be given more airtime. 2016 is Denise's 10th year and if they continue to sideline Denise, then I think it's possible that Diane will call it a day.

Here's some good news for the Sharon detractors, she is not in any episodes in 2 weeks time so you can enjoy the upcoming episodes - Phil is still not in any of the episodes in the next 2 weeks but he should be back at Halloween/Bonfire Night.

When is Stacey key storyline going to start and DTC needs to stop overusing the Beales and Sharon.

To be honest Wizardt, it feels like Phil and Sharon have been in every episode but we need a break from them for a few weeks. I think Sharon will be offscreen for a week because Jeff Povey revealed on Twitter that he had written a "Sharon dominated episode" and it will be transmitted in October. According to the Daily Star, "Halloween Week" is huge for Sharon, Kathy, Phil, Stacey and Ian but a lot of spoilers have been embargoed.

Sharon, Phil, Jane, Ian, Kathy, etc are my favourites BUT I do not want them to dominate EE all the time. EastEnders is an ensemble show and I want to see lots of other characters. But I am not keen on the Cokers

It's the 30th Anniversary year and Sharon and the Beales have been there since the beginning. It's only natural that they would feature heavily this year.

Halloween apparently

Who cares tbh. I found Bobby,Kathy,Ian,Sharon,Ben boring except for Jane. So it okay for people to complain about the Carters but when it their favorites being used they say nothing, It like they never of-screen.

Thank god. Let hope DTC use her properly like others who has been overused. I am found the bobby saga and Kathy return really boring.

To be fair, the Carters were in nearly every episode for 18 months straight.

The Beales and Mitchells have only featured heavily since July this year, and they have two massive storylines going on. If you find Ian, Sharon, Kathy and Phil boring I don't know how you've watched EastEnders for so long given that they have been principal characters for decades.

I always hated Ian from the start. Sharon was good back in 80's 90's and early 000's. Kathy is a pointless character and I like Phil.

Sharon could finish top

I think the problem is featuring the same characters constantly for weeks at a time and then rotating them for another set of characters withiut the storylines actually progressing. They need more balance and to run stories simultaneously, with development, and it would save a lot of problems. I know I say it alot but I genuinely believe it would help.

DTC has acknowledged that the Carters were overused but he is now doing the same with two other families. For all this talk of how Dean/Mick/Shirley went round in circles the Bobby storyline doesn't move forward itself. It may feel like more happens but it always returns to the same position of Bobby being protected. It's getting boring and damaging so many characters. None of the Mitchells/Beales are likeable in their current storylines. I think the biggest shame is how there was no immediate follow-up to the highly praised stillbirth episodes as we had to watch the Mitchells/Beales preparing to see an innocent man go down for life.

The Bobby story really does need to be brought to a conclusion now. I've thoroughly enjoyed it this year but I understand why people are starting to get bored with it.

EastEnders Character Appearance Count 2015 (up to and including 23rd October)
no. of episodes aired: 170

096 episodes: Jane Beale
095 episodes: Sharon Mitchell
094 episodes:
093 episodes:
092 episodes:
091 episodes: Shirley Carter & Mick Carter
090 episodes:
089 episodes:
088 episodes: Ian Beale
087 episodes: Stacey Branning
086 episodes:
085 episodes:
084 episodes: Linda Carter
083 episodes: Nancy Carter
082 episodes: Lee Carter
081 episodes:
080 episodes: Abi Branning
079 episodes:
078 episodes: Tina Carter & Ben Mitchell
077 episodes: Phil Mitchell
076 episodes:
075 episodes: Roxy Mitchell
074 episodes: Kush Kazemi
073 episodes: Shabnam Masood
072 episodes: Dean Wicks
071 episodes: Pam Coker
070 episodes: Martin Fowler
069 episodes:
068 episodes:
067 episodes:
066 episodes: Ronnie Mitchell & Kim Fox-Hubbard
065 episodes: Tamwar Masood
064 episodes: Masood Ahmed
063 episodes: Sonia Fowler
062 episodes:
061 episodes: Denise Fox
060 episodes: Jay Brown
059 episodes: Vincent Hubbard
058 episodes: Whitney Dean
057 episodes: Donna Yates & Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb
056 episodes:
055 episodes:
054 episodes:
053 episodes:
052 episodes: Patrick Trueman
051 episodes:
050 episodes:
049 episodes:
048 episodes:
047 episodes:
046 episodes: Billy Mitchell & Les Coker
045 episodes:
044 episodes: Buster Briggs
043 episodes: Dot Branning
042 episodes: Kat Moon & Bobby Beale
041 episodes:
040 episodes: Alfie Moon
039 episodes:
038 episodes:
037 episodes:
036 episodes:
035 episodes:
034 episodes:
033 episodes: Cora Cross & Lauren Branning
032 episodes: Paul Coker
031 episodes:
030 episodes:
029 episodes: Claudette Hubbard
028 episodes: Babe Smith
027 episodes:
026 episodes:
025 episodes:
024 episodes:
023 episodes:
022 episodes: Kathy Sullivan
021 episodes:
020 episodes: Carmel Kazemi
019 episodes:
018 episodes:
017 episodes: Bex Fowler & Lily Branning
016 episodes:
015 episodes: Amy Mitchell
014 episodes: Elaine Peacock
013 episodes:
012 episodes:
011 episodes:
010 episodes:
009 episodes: Gavin Sullivan
008 episodes:
007 episodes:
006 episodes: Dennis Rickman Jnr.
005 episodes:
004 episodes: Janet Mitchell
003 episodes:
002 episodes:
001 episode:

Recurring Characters:
24 episodes: DI Samantha Keeble
15 episodes: Mo Harris
14 episodes: Ritchie Scott, Marcus Christie & DS Cameron Bryant
13 episodes: DCI Jill Marsden
11 episodes: Dr. Margaret Badini
08 episodes: Yvonne Cotton
07 episodes: Robbie Jackson & Sylvie Carter
06 episodes: Fatima Inzamam, Jade Green & Sami Jackson
05 episodes: PC Vanessa Jenkins
04 episodes: Karin Smart, Christian Clarke, PC Evans, Bushra Abbasi & Jason Adams
03 episodes: Jean Slater, DC Stephan Franklin, Gordon Cook & Margaret Midhurst
02 episodes: Tanya Cross, Libby Fox, Kristopher Hanley, DS Heathcote, Marta Shirovs, Reverend Stevens, Gareth Hunt & Ollie Walters
01 episode: Peggy Mitchell, Oscar Branning, Sister Ruth, DS Bain & Fat Elvis

Departed Characters:
097 episodes: Carol Jackson
077 episodes: Max Branning
063 episodes: Charlie Cotton
055 episodes: Cindy Williams
049 episodes: Liam Butcher
034 episodes: Lola Pearce
033 episodes: Stan Carter
019 episodes: Peter Beale
017 episodes: Aleks Shirovs
015 episodes: Nick Cotton
007 episodes: Ineta Shirovs
002 episodes: Dexter Hartman & Emma Summerhayes
001 episode: Lucy Beale, Rainie Cross, Jake Stone & Terry Spraggan

October 2015:
No. of episodes: 14

13 episodes: Ben Mitchell & Jane Beale

12 episodes:-
11 episodes: Lee Carter, Ian Beale, Kathy Sullivan, Pam Coker & Les Coker

10 episodes:-
09 episodes: Sharon Mitchell, Mick Carter, Abi Branning & Linda Carter

08 episodes: Martin Fowler

07 episodes: Stacey Branning, Shabnam Masood, Whitney Dean, Elaine Peacock, Paul Coker, Ronnie Mitchell & Claudette Hubbard

06 episodes: Kush Kazemi, Jay Brown, Nancy Carter, Bobby Beale & Vincent Hubbard

05 episodes: Patrick Trueman, Gavin Sullivan, Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb, Roxy Mitchell, Donna Yates & Kim Fox-Hubbard

04 episodes: Dot Branning, Babe Smith, Tina Carter, Tamwar Masood & Dean Wicks

03 episodes: Sonia Fowler, Masood Ahmed & Denise Fox

02 episodes: Carol Jackson & Lauren Branning

01 episode: Phil Mitchell, Billy Mitchell, Max Branning & Bex Fowler

00 episodes: Janet Mitchell, Lily Branning, Buster Briggs, Amy Mitchell, Dennis Rickman Jnr., Carmel Kazemi, Cora Cross & Shirley Carter

Another busy week for Jane sees her surpass Sharon.

Aww Carol would still be top if she hadn't of left

Nice to see Jane/Sharon doing well. Really could be anybodies game this year.

EastEnders Character Appearance Count 2015 (up to and including 30th October)
no. of episodes aired: 174

099 episodes: Sharon Mitchell
098 episodes: Jane Beale
097 episodes:
096 episodes:
095 episodes: Mick Carter
094 episodes:
093 episodes:
092 episodes: Shirley Carter
091 episodes: Ian Beale
090 episodes: Stacey Branning
089 episodes:
088 episodes: Linda Carter
087 episodes:
086 episodes: Lee Carter
085 episodes:
084 episodes: Nancy Carter
083 episodes:
082 episodes: Ben Mitchell
081 episodes: Abi Branning & Phil Mitchell
080 episodes:
079 episodes: Tina Carter
078 episodes: Kush Kazemi
077 episodes: Shabnam Masood
076 episodes: Roxy Mitchell
075 episodes: Dean Wicks
074 episodes: Martin Fowler
073 episodes:
072 episodes: Pam Coker
071 episodes:
070 episodes: Ronnie Mitchell
069 episodes:
068 episodes:
067 episodes: Tamwar Masood
066 episodes: Kim Fox-Hubbard
065 episodes: Masood Ahmed
064 episodes: Jay Brown
063 episodes: Sonia Fowler
062 episodes: Denise Fox
061 episodes: Whitney Dean
060 episodes:
059 episodes: Vincent Hubbard, Donna Yates & Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb
058 episodes:
057 episodes:
056 episodes:
055 episodes:
054 episodes:
053 episodes:
052 episodes: Patrick Trueman
051 episodes:
050 episodes:
049 episodes:
048 episodes: Billy Mitchell
047 episodes: Les Coker
046 episodes: Buster Briggs
045 episodes:
044 episodes: Bobby Beale
043 episodes: Dot Branning
042 episodes: Kat Moon
041 episodes:
040 episodes: Alfie Moon
039 episodes:
038 episodes:
037 episodes:
036 episodes:
035 episodes: Cora Cross & Paul Coker
034 episodes:
033 episodes: Lauren Branning
032 episodes:
031 episodes:
030 episodes:
029 episodes: Claudette Hubbard & Babe Smith
028 episodes:
027 episodes:
026 episodes: Kathy Sullivan
025 episodes:
024 episodes:
023 episodes:
022 episodes:
021 episodes:
020 episodes: Carmel Kazemi
019 episodes:
018 episodes: Bex Fowler
017 episodes: Lily Branning
016 episodes: Elaine Peacock
015 episodes: Amy Mitchell
014 episodes:
013 episodes:
012 episodes:
011 episodes: Gavin Sullivan
010 episodes:
009 episodes:
008 episodes: Dennis Rickman Jnr.
007 episodes:
006 episodes:
005 episodes:
004 episodes: Janet Mitchell
003 episodes:
002 episodes:
001 episode: Kyle

Recurring Characters:
24 episodes: DI Samantha Keeble
15 episodes: Mo Harris & DCI Jill Marsden
14 episodes: Ritchie Scott, Marcus Christie & DS Cameron Bryant
11 episodes: Dr. Margaret Badini
08 episodes: Yvonne Cotton
07 episodes: Robbie Jackson & Sylvie Carter
06 episodes: Fatima Inzamam, Jade Green & Sami Jackson
05 episodes: PC Vanessa Jenkins
04 episodes: Karin Smart, Christian Clarke, PC Evans, Bushra Abbasi, Margaret Midhurst & Jason Adams
03 episodes: Jean Slater, DC Stephan Franklin & Gordon Cook
02 episodes: Tanya Cross, Libby Fox, Kristopher Hanley, DS Heathcote, Marta Shirovs, Reverend Stevens, Gareth Hunt & Ollie Walters
01 episode: Peggy Mitchell, Oscar Branning, Sister Ruth, DS Bain & Fat Elvis

Departed Characters:
097 episodes: Carol Jackson
077 episodes: Max Branning
063 episodes: Charlie Cotton
055 episodes: Cindy Williams
049 episodes: Liam Butcher
034 episodes: Lola Pearce
033 episodes: Stan Carter
019 episodes: Peter Beale
017 episodes: Aleks Shirovs
015 episodes: Nick Cotton
007 episodes: Ineta Shirovs
002 episodes: Dexter Hartman & Emma Summerhayes
001 episode: Lucy Beale, Rainie Cross, Jake Stone & Terry Spraggan

October 2015:
No. of episodes: 18

17 episodes: Ben Mitchell

16 episodes:-
15 episodes: Jane Beale, Lee Carter & Kathy Sullivan

14 episodes: Ian Beale

13 episodes: Sharon Mitchell, Mick Carter & Linda Carter

12 episodes: Martin Fowler, Pam Coker & Les Coker

11 episodes: Shabnam Masood & Ronnie Mitchell

10 episodes: Abi Branning, Stacey Branning, Whitney Dean, Paul Coker, Kush Kazemi & Jay Brown

09 episodes: Elaine Peacock

08 episodes: Bobby Beale

07 episodes: Claudette Hubbard, Nancy Carter, Gavin Sullivan, Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb, Donna Yates & Dean Wicks

06 episodes: Vincent Hubbard, Roxy Mitchell & Tamwar Masood

05 episodes: Phil Mitchell, Patrick Trueman, Kim Fox-Hubbard, Babe Smith & Tina Carter

04 episodes: Dot Branning, Masood Ahmed & Denise Fox

03 episodes: Sonia Fowler & Billy Mitchell

02 episodes: Carol Jackson, Lauren Branning, Cora Cross, Buster Briggs, Dennis Rickman Jnr. & Bex Fowler

01 episode: Max Branning, Shirley Carter & Kyle

00 episodes: Janet Mitchell, Lily Branning, Amy Mitchell & Carmel Kazemi

Sharon takes the lead as Ben wins October.

EastEnders Character Appearance Count 2015 (up to and including 6th November)
no. of episodes aired: 178

102 episodes: Sharon Mitchell
101 episodes:
100 episodes:
099 episodes: Jane Beale
098 episodes: Mick Carter
097 episodes:
096 episodes:
095 episodes:
094 episodes:
093 episodes: Ian Beale, Stacey Branning & Shirley Carter
092 episodes:
091 episodes: Linda Carter
090 episodes:
089 episodes:
088 episodes: Lee Carter
087 episodes:
086 episodes: Nancy Carter
085 episodes: Ben Mitchell
084 episodes:
083 episodes: Phil Mitchell
082 episodes: Abi Branning
081 episodes: Kush Kazemi
080 episodes: Shabnam Masood & Tina Carter
079 episodes:
078 episodes: Roxy Mitchell & Dean Wicks
077 episodes: Martin Fowler
076 episodes:
075 episodes:
074 episodes:
073 episodes: Ronnie Mitchell & Pam Coker
072 episodes:
071 episodes:
070 episodes:
069 episodes: Tamwar Masood
068 episodes:
067 episodes: Kim Fox-Hubbard
066 episodes: Masood Ahmed & Jay Brown
065 episodes: Denise Fox
064 episodes:
063 episodes: Sonia Fowler & Whitney Dean
062 episodes:
061 episodes: Donna Yates & Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb
060 episodes:
059 episodes: Vincent Hubbard
058 episodes:
057 episodes:
056 episodes:
055 episodes:
054 episodes:
053 episodes:
052 episodes: Patrick Trueman
051 episodes:
050 episodes:
049 episodes:
048 episodes: Billy Mitchell
047 episodes: Les Coker & Buster Briggs
046 episodes:
045 episodes:
044 episodes: Dot Branning & Bobby Beale
043 episodes:
042 episodes: Kat Moon
041 episodes:
040 episodes: Alfie Moon
039 episodes:
038 episodes:
037 episodes:
036 episodes: Paul Coker
035 episodes: Cora Cross
034 episodes:
033 episodes: Lauren Branning
032 episodes: Babe Smith
031 episodes:
030 episodes:
029 episodes: Kathy Sullivan & Claudette Hubbard
028 episodes:
027 episodes:
026 episodes:
025 episodes:
024 episodes:
023 episodes:
022 episodes: Carmel Kazemi
021 episodes:
020 episodes:
019 episodes: Elaine Peacock
018 episodes: Bex Fowler
017 episodes: Lily Branning
016 episodes:
015 episodes: Amy Mitchell
014 episodes:
013 episodes:
012 episodes: Gavin Sullivan
011 episodes:
010 episodes: Dennis Rickman Jnr.
009 episodes:
008 episodes:
007 episodes:
006 episodes:
005 episodes:
004 episodes: Janet Mitchell
003 episodes:
002 episodes:
001 episode: Kyle

Recurring Characters:
24 episodes: DI Samantha Keeble
16 episodes: DCI Jill Marsden
15 episodes: Mo Harris
14 episodes: Ritchie Scott, Marcus Christie & DS Cameron Bryant
11 episodes: Dr. Margaret Badini
08 episodes: Yvonne Cotton & Fatima Inzamam
07 episodes: Robbie Jackson, Jade Green & Sylvie Carter
06 episodes: Sami Jackson
05 episodes: Margaret Midhurst & PC Vanessa Jenkins
04 episodes: Karin Smart, Christian Clarke, PC Evans, Bushra Abbasi & Jason Adams
03 episodes: Jean Slater, DC Stephan Franklin & Gordon Cook
02 episodes: Tanya Cross, Libby Fox, Kristopher Hanley, DS Heathcote, Marta Shirovs, Reverend Stevens, Gareth Hunt & Ollie Walters
01 episode: Peggy Mitchell, Oscar Branning, Kamil Masood, Sister Ruth, DS Bain & Fat Elvis

Departed Characters:
097 episodes: Carol Jackson
077 episodes: Max Branning
063 episodes: Charlie Cotton
055 episodes: Cindy Williams
049 episodes: Liam Butcher
034 episodes: Lola Pearce
033 episodes: Stan Carter
019 episodes: Peter Beale
017 episodes: Aleks Shirovs
015 episodes: Nick Cotton
007 episodes: Ineta Shirovs
002 episodes: Dexter Hartman & Emma Summerhayes
001 episode: Lucy Beale, Rainie Cross, Jake Stone & Terry Spraggan

November 2015:
No. of episodes: 04

03 episodes: Ben Mitchell, Kathy Sullivan, Sharon Mitchell, Mick Carter, Linda Carter, Martin Fowler, Shabnam Masood, Ronnie Mitchell, Stacey Branning, Kush Kazemi, Elaine Peacock, Dean Wicks, Babe Smith & Denise Fox

02 episodes: Ian Beale, Phil Mitchell, Lee Carter, Whitney Dean, Jay Brown, Carmel Kazemi, Nancy Carter, Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb, Donna Yates, Roxy Mitchell, Tamwar Masood & Dennis Rickman Jnr.

01 episode: Jane Beale, Pam Coker, Abi Branning, Paul Coker, Gavin Sullivan, Dot Branning, Masood Ahmed, Tina Carter, Kim Fox-Hubbard, Buster Briggs & Shirley Carter

00 episodes: Les Coker, Claudette Hubbard, Vincent Hubbard, Patrick Trueman, Bobby Beale, Sonia Fowler, Billy Mitchell, Cora Cross, Bex Fowler, Kyle, Janet Mitchell, Lily Branning & Amy Mitchell

Sharon becomes the first character to hit 100 as she extends her lead at the top.