Coronation Street's Steve McDonald and EastEnders' Janine Butcher went on a date tonight (November 19) at the First Dates restaurant for a Children in Need special. But they didn't expect to be served an Emmerdale surprise for dessert.
The first one to arrive at the Manchester venue was Weatherfield's own Steve (played by Simon Gregson), who naively was just looking to grab a quick lunch.
While he waited at the bar, Janine also arrived, but we will excuse her tardiness since she had to travel all the way from Walford.
Related: BBC Children in Need telethon's 2021 grand total revealed
As the two started chatting, they bonded over the fact that both Steve and Janine's dads owned a cab firm and previously ran a pub.
They also found it striking how they were both married an inordinate number of times: seven for Steve and three for Janine – well, four since she always forgets poor David, and she's only killed two of them.
The two then moved to the dinner table, where Janine started asking the important questions to enquire if Steve is well off. But, still completely clueless about what was happening, Steve admitted that he has "never paid for it", which set off Janine.
"Just because a girl has got a past it doesn't mean that you have to throw it in her face!" she hit back.
Calling over Fred Sirieix, she complained that she "asked for a billionaire businessman preferably in his 80s, not a wife-collecting cabbie".
Steve was not very pleased with that definition of himself and asked Fred what was going on. After he finally got clued in that he was on a date, Steve exploded and said: "I'm married, mate! I've got a wife at home who actually looks stable compared to that thing there." Poor Tracy, she didn't deserve that.
"If he is not my date, then who is?" asked Janine. And who better to fit Janine's requirements for a partner than Emmerdale's own Eric Pollard, who walked in with his usual nonchalant charm.
Sparks were flying between him and Janine as soon as they locked eyes. Janine dismissed Steve, who walked away with his sausage and mash in hand and gave room for Janine to get to know her new victim.
If you want to donate £20 to Children in Need, you can text 'DONATE' to 70420. If you'd prefer to donate a different amount, please visit the BBC's Children in Need website to specify your contribution.
