The EastEnders star reveals a secret phone behind the scenes on set that keeps the show from going off the rails

EASTENDERS star Barbara Joan Smith has unveiled a special phone backstage that is keeping the soap opera running like clockwork.

The 24-year-old Dana Monroe actress revealed her little behind-the-scenes secret to fans in an Instagram video last night.

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She filmed a rather retro-looking phone that assistant directors regularly use to organize the show’s stars.

Barbara said: “These little phones in our dressing rooms are for artist AD and his people to contact us and take care of us.

“They call us and tell us when we have 10 minutes. They tell us when to be on set. They take us there when we don’t know where we’re going.”

Highlighting its importance, Barbara then explained how she wanted to film for the first time at the new £87million property but was unfamiliar with it and needed a guide.

The excited young star finally made it, revealing she was working on scenes with show veteran and Strictly star Emma Barton.

Barbara’s character has been involved in an on-off romance with Bobby Beale since she joined the soap opera.

The couple are currently separated after Bobby discovered Dana’s brother Aaron had attempted a far-right terrorist attack on a mosque.

The actress – who is a huge fan of the soap – previously had a very brief cameo on EastEnders in 2019 before joining full-time.

Barbara previously explained that she “played a girl named Ellie who sold Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) some dodgy drugs,” leading to Bex’s dramatic overdose storyline.

“I felt like I was stepping into my TV the first time I walked onto set, and it was one of those moments where I had to pinch myself,” she told Inside Soap.

“I was obsessed with EastEnders as a kid and it’s especially surreal if I ever see Lacey Turner play Stacey.

“The revelation of Max and Stacey’s affair, followed by Bradley [Branning] later falling off the roof of the Queen Vic was my favorite story ever.”

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