Soap legends Janine Butcher and Steve McDonald go on a DATE as 'EastEnders' and 'Coronation Street' crossover

Janine Butcher and Steve McDonald on First Dates
Janine Butcher and Steve McDonald go on 'First Dates' for the 'BBC Children In Need' special. (Image credit: BBC Children in Need)

BBC Children in Need 2021 is bringing us a night of excitement as three of our favourite TV shows come face-to-face in an extra special sketch for the charity.

EastEnders legend Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) is looking for love and is seemingly done with the men of Walford, so what better way to help with your love search than Channel 4’s hit dating show First Dates?

In an unexpected twist, she finds herself on a date with Coronation Street icon Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).

Will Steve be able to handle fiery Janine?

Will Steve be able to handle fiery Janine? (Image credit: BBC Children in Need)

They both have had a turbulent dating history, with Steve being married seven times and Janine murdering two of her partners and attempting to kill another. So, it’s sure to be a rollercoaster of a date!

First Dates maître d Fred Siriex greets the pair, but how will Steve get on with fiery Janine?

You can watch a sneak peek of their date below, where it gets off to a rather awkward start and we discover that Steve has an usual amount in common with Janine's father.

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Janine has been busy trying to win back custody of her daughter, Scarlett, but has been causing her usual mischief and havoc across Walford during the process. She even accidentally set Phil Mitchell's house on fire and had to save both her daughter and Kat Slater's son, Tommy, from the blaze!

Recently, scheming Janine has joined forces with her nephew Liam Butcher to make some cash through a dodgy scam where Liam steals cars and she sells them on the black market.

BBC Children in Need appeal show airs on Friday Nov. 19 at 7pm on BBC1 — see our TV Guide for full listings. 

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.


You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!


Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.