EastEnders star Brian Conley is set to join the soap imminently, playing Terry Cant, mysterious father of Albert Square icon Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy).
Brian has revealed he was offered the role over a Zoom call without an audition, and was asked to bring in some comedy value amid the "doom and gloom".
The actor is set to begin filming soon and his first scenes will air in May, when Terry will make his big arrival - but will soon inform the residents he doesn't like to be called by his real name.
Speaking on the At Home With Hayley YouTube channel, Brian said: "The producers and the casting directors said ‘we want to talk to you,’ I thought it was just a Zoom.
"They went, ‘So this is the character, probably starts in March and we’d love you to be in it a year.’ I went, ‘So you’re offering me that are you?’
"And they went, ‘Yeah.’ So I didn’t even have to read for it or anything."
Speaking about his character, Brian revealed: "He’s a cheeky Cockney lad, so it’s a bit of a strain, and he’s always got a little funny line to say.
"I do know where they’re coming from. Where they’re coming from right now with Covid and everything they just want to lighten it up a bit and not be so doom and gloom."
Brian said Natalie had welcomed him with open arms and that it was an honour to act alongside such a long-standing character.
He explained: "I am Terry Cant and I am Sonia’s dad and that is quite amazing because she has been in that show since she was nine.
"I know I’m going to be in good hands, she’ll be there to guide me through it in those early days. She rung me to say how pleased she is I’m in it.
"The shows are only 20 minutes long at the moment, there’s still three a week so you’re still very busy doing that."
Brian added he knew what his storyline was going to be, but he was not allowed to say.
"They said to me, ‘Tell them your name and tell them that you’re Sonia’s dad and that is it'," he revealed.
“I’ve got a really good nickname which I’m always referred to.
"After the first proper scene I explain that I don’t like being called Terry and this is my name and I explain why my name is this. I know that will latch on, it really made me smile when they told me."
He added: "I do know a lot of the plot now, you have to, I have to know where I’m coming from and the games I’m playing and why I’m there. It’s really exciting."
