Call the Midwife brought more drama to Nonnatus House in tonight’s episode, with Rosalind investigating unusual family circumstances, while Joyce helped a single mother with a rare blood type. As usual, the show welcomed a new line-up of guest stars – and EastEnders fans may have spotted one former soap icon in this evening’s episode.

Viewers watched as Joyce sought out the Aunt Moira of her patient Eileen Hudson, in hopes that she may match Eileen’s rare blood type and can provide a blood transfusion. Joyce heads to a local brothel where Moira works, with Moira briefly mistaking Joyce for someone looking for a job.

Moira is played by actor Cathy Murphy – who is best known for playing Julie Perkins on EastEnders. Julie turned up in Albert Square back in 2011, being revealed as someone Billy Mitchell knew from growing up in a children’s home.

Julie later tells Billy that after they slept together years before, she gave birth to a child who was taken away from her shortly after birth. While they discover that their son is dead when they uncover his identity, they learn that they have a granddaughter – Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold).

Cathy left EastEnders the following year and outside the soap, she has appeared in The House of Eliott, Channel 5’s Family Affairs and The Larkins. Cathy also took on roles in Bridget Jones’s Baby, About a Boy and Welcome to the Punch.

Earlier this week, Call the Midwife star Rebecca Gethings opened up about her character Sister Veronica and her hopes to become a mother.

Speaking to The Express and other press, she said: “I think it’s that biological drive that she can’t ignore, and it sort of defies logic or convenience…She would rather wish it wasn’t the case, but if she can’t ignore it, she’s going to be really tested.

“To be custodian of a story that is relevant for lots of people who’ll be watching is important.”

Jenny Agutter, who plays Sister Julienne, added: “You look at it as a story, it seems almost irrational. But it is beautiful, and it is honest, and that’s what’s so lovely, is those sort of surprises. You know, suddenly there’s a nun going I want a child.”