Shaun Williamsons' secret son has told how he was a huge fan of the EastEnders actor for years before discovering they were related.
Gary, 32, even attempted to meet the Barry Evans actor backstage at a show prior to learning about their connection.
Speaking in Shaun's autobiography, A Matter of Facts, Gary explains: "My dad was in fact Shaun Williamson, an actor that I had admired for years, not from EastEnders but from the sitcom Extras.
"Me and my mates had even planned to go and see him when he was in a show at the Belfast Opera House some years before, so that we could meet him afterwards. How weird would that have been?"
Over the weekend it was revealed how Shaun found out he was a dad-of-three after fathering Gary with a circus juggler more than 30 years ago.
Shaun is also dad to daughter Sophie, 22, and son Joseph, 20, from his marriage to Melanie Sacre who he later discovered.
On learning he had a third secret child, Shaun, 54, said it was a 'frightening but amazing discovey.'
He told the Sun on Sunday : "When I found out I had another son, I was stunned. I was shaking when I went to meet him.'
The actor added: '"He said he never thought in a million years that Barry from EastEnders could be his dad."
Shaun met Gary's mother in 1987 when he was was 22 and working as a barman.
The former Celebrity Big Brother star said he was 'blown away' by her and they got engaged six months later despite their 'fiery relationship.'
But the pair separated when Shaun had to move away for his job as a Pontin's Bluecoat, before his ex partner told him she was pregnant with his child.
In 2013 Shaun received letter out of the blue claiming that 'Gary' from his 'circus days' was his son.
The stunned actor sent a paternity sent off to Canada which confirmed Gary was his indeed his biological son.
The estranged father and son met for the first time at a hotel in Belfast, with Shaun describing in his book how they 'hit it off' straight away'.
