He is famous for crooning about the exclusive Copacabana Club in New York and the sunny weather in Southern California.

But Barry Manilow made an unexpected appearance in Albert Square last week as the EastEnders regulars gathered round a piano to sing one of his biggest hits in an emotional scene. 

Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy, led a rendition of Can’t Smile Without You in tribute to her ex husband Martin who died aged 39 in a recent episode.

The American singer, 81, took to X to express his delight at his music featuring in the iconic soap, saying, ‘If you were watching last week’s episode of @bbceastenders, then you might have recognized a familiar song!’ adding a smiley face to the post.

He included a clip of the scene which saw Sonia, her daughter Bex, portrayed by Jasmine Armfield, and other loved ones singing along to the tune and holding back the tears.

Meanwhile, Sonia’s sister Bianca Jackson, played by Celebrity Big Brother star Patsy Palmer, stared intensely at the group from the back of the shot.

Barry Manilow made an unexpected appearance in Albert Square last week as the EastEnders regulars gathered round a piano to sing one of his biggest hits in a pivotal scene

The American singer, 81, took to X to express his delight at featuring in the iconic soap and included a clip of the emotional moment

The singalong marks 20 years since Barry’s hit Copacabana (At The Copa) was used in a 2005 episode of the popular BBC series. 

The left-field crossover comes after the flamboyant hitmaker was spotted in a rare sighting smoking a vape during an outing in Palm Springs.

It followed an announcement that he had secured a money-spinning deal at his favourite Las Vegas Casino – securing a lifetime residency at Sin City’s Westgate Resort & Casino’s International Theater. 

He started his residency in December with his show A Very Barry Christmas.

Barry had a grungy, sophisticated look during his outing. He sported a blue and brown checkered shirt on top of a black T-shirt, dark-wash skinny jeans secured with a black belt and black sneakers. 

The vape raised eyebrows for fans who have followed his numerous health problems allegedly revolving around his smoking habit.

On Thursday, just a week after Barry’s song lit up EastEnders, fans were left sobbing as four characters departed Albert Square in emotional scenes.

The episode saw Natalie officially leave her role as Sonia after more than 30 years on the BBC soap, with the actress announcing her departure earlier this year.

In December, the star (pictured, in the 70s) made an announcement that he had secured a money-spinning deal at his favourite Las Vegas Casino 

Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy (pictured, left), led a rendition of Barry’s Can’t Smile Without You in tribute to her ex husband Martin who died aged 39 in the recent episode

On Thursday, just a week after the song lit up EastEnders, fans were left sobbing as four characters including Sonia (pictured, right) and Bianca Jackson (left) departed Albert Square

And while nurse Sonia bid a fond farewell to Walford, so did her sister Bianca (Patsy) and daughters Bex (Jasmine) and baby Julia, who accompanied her for a grand adventure in Bali.

In typical EastEnders style, the fan favourite’s exit was full of drama, tears and funny moments, with scenes seeing her steal her estranged father Terry Cant’s (Glen Davies) plane tickets, boat and car after locking him in a shed. 

The episode also saw a heartwarming recording of Sonia’s beloved late step-grandmother Dot Cotton (June Brown), while Rocky Cotton (Brian Conley) made a brief return as she visited him in prison for advice on whether she should leave.

The show featured nods to her past with the emergence of her notorious trumpet, while there were references to her past loves Jamie Mitchell and the recently departed Martin.

As Sonia finally departed the square on the back of a speedboat on a trailer, she was waved off by a plethora of residents, with her, Bianca, Bex and Julia’s departure spelling four character exits in one go.