Richard’s in Nick of time for Enders
COMIC IN AS DOT’S BOY KILLED OFF
EASTENDERS is to get an explosive new villain in the same week that Nasty Nick Cotton is finally killed off.
Comedian, singer, DJ and former MTV host Richard Blackwood, 42, starts filming in Albert Square for live episodes to mark the BBC soap’s 30th anniversary next month.
His exact role is secret but insiders say it is “explosive”xplosive” and he’s poised to become e a larger-than-life new villain.n.
Funnyman man Richard, stepbrother of supermodelsuper model Naomi Campbell,mpbell, made his name hosting ing MTV’s music show Select ct in the 90s.
He had a No3No 3 single in 2003 withh his song Mama Who Da Man.
Richard d made a brief appearance earance in TV hospital ospital drama Holby City and recently played Donkey in a West End production of Shrek.
Calling the role an “amazing opportunity” he said: “EastEnders is a show I’ve grown up watching so to film on Albert Square is something I’ll never get used to.
“To know my first-ever scene will be a live one hopefully means the team believe in me and I won’t let them down.”
Terrific
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: “Richard has always been on our EastEnders wish list – and now the perfect part has com come along.
“He’s an authenticau Londoner and a terrific
actor, bringing w with him warmth, humour and energy which will add so many layers to this 21st century EastEnders villain. The status quo in the Square is about to be well and truly shaken.”
The show, first broadcast on February 19, 1985, is celebrating its big anniversary with one fully live 30-minute episode and other live segments throughout the week.
The killer of Lucy Beale will finally be unmasked and long-term bad-boy Nasty Nick Cotton (John Altman) will be murdered. His longsuffering mum Dot Branning (June Brown) will shock everyone when she confesses to the killing.
Sources say one episode will be a flashback to Good Friday last year when viewers will see exactly how and why Lucy died. In the same week her father Ian Beale will remarry ex-wife Jane.
Show f a v ourite Barbara Windsor will also be back as Peggy Mitchell and Jo Joyner as Tanya Cross as part of the celebrations.