EastEnders has released a first look at June Whitfield as a nun in the soap.

Preview pictures of the 89-year-old’s scenes show her dressed in a wimple and comforting Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), who goes to visit her at the convent.

June Whitfield Jessie Wallace EastEnders
Sister Ruth (June Whitfield) greets Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) (BBC)

June will play Sister Ruth, who a troubled Kat meets when she decides to face her past by taking a trip back to the convent where she gave birth as a teenager to daughter Zoe.

The pictures from the episode show Sister Ruth offering her a shoulder to cry on, and possibly something stronger from what looks like a hip flask.

June Whitfield Jessie Wallace EastEnders
Sister Ruth (June Whitfield) and Kat (Jessie Wallace) share a chat in EastEnders (BBC)

Kat has been having a traumatic time in Walford of late, attempting suicide and hitting the bottle as she struggles with a request for her to testify against her uncle Harry, who raped her and left her pregnant with Zoe.

As well as deciding to go back to see the convent, Kat will also tell ex Alfie (Shane Richie) that she wants to get back together – but will he give things another go?

June Whitfield Jessie Wallace EastEnders
Sister Ruth (June Whitfield) comforts Kat (Jessie Wallace) (BBC)

When June’s casting was announced last month, she said: “I have watched EastEnders for years, and have been so impressed by the standard of acting. It was an absolute delight to work with Jessie Wallace and I am very excited to be part of the show.”

The scenes are due to air on BBC One next week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.