Danny Walters
“Keanu is very touchy about his father…”
Life can be tough when you’re part of the cash-strapped Taylor clan – but things are looking up for Keanu this week, as he starts his new job working for Phil as a mechanic. And Eastenders actor Danny Walters couldn’t be happier at seeing his character succeed…
“It is a relief for Keanu to finally have some sort of stability,” the star tells us during a break from his busy filming schedule. “He’s got money coming in and is providing for his family, so this job makes him feel much more secure. I suppose Phil Mitchell could be quite scary as a boss! But Keanu got to know Phil better when they both got involved in Aidan’s heist, so he already knows Phil has a temper. Keanu actually has a lot of respect for him, especially because of the opportunity he’s given him at the Arches.”
However, Keanu’s first day on the job doesn’t get off to a good start when a customer from hell arrives in the shape of Mitch Baker, who is Keanu’s half-brother Keegan’s father (see p10). And Mitch is going to cause a whole lot of trouble as he tries to make amends for the past with both Keegan and ex-lover Karen.
“Keanu is very protective of his family, especially his mum Karen,” shares Danny.
“In the past, Karen fell head-over-heels for Mitch and he completely manipulated her. Keanu knows how toxic Mitch can be, and that things never end well when he’s around. Mitch has left Karen heartbroken many times before, and the rest of the family have to pick up the pieces.”
When Karen and her rowdy bunch first appeared on screen last summer, there was no sign of any of the kids’ dads in the picture. But now Mitch has showed up again, will he charm his way back into both Karen and Keegan’s hearts? “Keegan has grown up without Mitch,” explains Danny. “But there’s a part of him that would like a father figure in his life, so he does start to warm to Mitch. Keanu is the only one who seems to realise how manipulative Mitch can be, and he’s worried that both Karen and Keegan could be left devastated.”
They’re not the only ones under threat, though, as cunning Mitch reveals to Keegan a shock secret about Keanu’s own dad. But what is the terrible truth Karen has been keeping from her eldest son all these years?
“Keanu gets very touchy whenever anyone mentions his dad,” says Danny. “He doesn’t know much about him apart from what Karen has told him. Keanu isn’t someone who likes to share his emotions, so he puts up his defences and shuts down any discussion about it. But if Keegan reveals the secret he’s found out about Keanu’s father, I’m sure Keanu won’t take it well.”
Danny himself certainly doesn’t mind talking about Keanu’s mystery dad – and would love to see the character turn up on the Square in the future.
“I’ve definitely been thinking about who could come in and play him,” grins the actor. “Is Tom Hardy available?
That would be amazing [laughs]. I did see someone called me ‘Tom Hardy’s love child’ on social media. Ha ha! The comparison is certainly flattering…”
Keanu is the only one who realises how manipulative Mitch can be