ENDERS SNUB FOR HARRY

TV chiefs wreck 1D hunk’s Albert Square dream

EASTENDERS bosses snubbed requests to give pop megastar Harry Styles a cameo.

The One Direction star is desperate to appear on the BBC soap because he’s been an avid viewer for years.

But when the idea was suggested in a production meeting, show chiefs turned it down.

Tilly Keeper, who plays Louise Mitchell, and Jasmin Armfield (Bex Fowler), had heard Harry was keen to join the cast.

They begged bosses to let Harry be a part of their high school prom scenes, which aired last month.

In an exclusive chat, Tilly said: “I tried to sneak in the idea of having Harry in – but it wasn’t allowed.” She added: “It was so disappointing.”

Harry has told pals he’d love to be on EastEnders a string of times over the years. He’s said he’d even be happy with a role as an extra.

Four years ago he was on set during a Children In Need special. He was joined by his One Direction bandmates in the soap’s most famous venue — The Queen Vic pub. Fans were impressed when he even did an impression of Peggy Mitchell’s catchphrase: “Get out of my pub!” The boyband later performed in Albert Square.

A source close to Harry said: “He absolutely loves EastEnders and would love to be part of it, even if it was a tiny role with no actual lines.”

EastEnders pulled in up to 30million viewers at its peak but in recent weeks it has been attracting just 10% of that.

Ratings hit an all-time low last month when an episode had just 3.4m watching.

A TV insider last night said: “EastEnders producers are mad not to offer Harry a cameo. He would definitely boost viewing figures.”

Harry is on track to become one of Britain’s biggest names in the acting world.

After One Direction went on a break he started auditioning for big screen roles.

His first outing in cinemas is in action epic Dunkirk, which was released last month. Harry plays Alex, a British Army private, and features throughout the film.

His performance was praised by critics and fans.

He also helped the film become a box office smash around the world.

Harry’s Dunkirk co-star Cillian Murphy last month told the Daily Star Sunday he predicts Harry will soon become a top Hollywood star.

Film industry experts are now predicting Harry will be bombarded with more big screen roles.