Comedy legend Adrian Edmondson is joining EastEnders as a new love interest for Jean Slater.
The Young Ones star, 62, will play “charming” Daniel Cook, who meets Jean as she is treated for ovarian cancer.
Daniel, who has a “wicked sense of humour”, is also battling cancer and the pair support each other.
Jean, played by Gillian Wright, is initially unsure about Daniel but warms to him. Adrian, married to Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders, said he was thrilled to be joining the BBC soap.
He said: “There were only 15 boys on my drama course at Manchester Uni and I’ll be the third to appear in EastEnders – so I feel it’s a kind of tradition! The other two being Tom Watt (Lofty Holloway) and Paul Bradley (Nigel Bates).”
Adrian, who hits Walford next month, made his name in 80s comedy The Young Ones and followed it up in the 90s with Bottom.
In recent years, he was in dramas including Holby City, Bancroft and War & Peace – and was a First Order officer in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
EastEnders executive producer Jon Sen said: “Adrian is a phenomenal talent who will bring his unique blend of intelligence, warmth and humour to the role of Daniel.”
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Jean has been on an emotional rollercoaster in recent weeks after dealing with the return of her son Sean Slater.
She had to talk him round from attempting suicide after he discovered the news that his ex-wife Roxy had died in a tragic accident back in 2017.
Jean has been having regular chemotherapy sessions leaving her weak and sickly, but the news of a love interest will no doubt raise her mood.
*EastEnders airs on BBC One on Monday and Fridays at 8pm and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm
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