‘My dad would've loved that I'm in EASTENDERS'

Brian Conley tells Woman’s Weekly about joining the soap and why it means so much to him

- ROBYN MORRIS

Meet Walford’s latest resident, Terry Cant. Played by entertainment legend Brian Conley, Terry has arrived in Albert Square to find his long-lost daughter, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy).

Brian, 59, who started filming on the soap earlier this year, says that his character is very much like him. ‘I’ve always had the gift of the gab, I’m a cheeky cockney lad and that’s what Terry is. I think they have very cleverly opened it up for me. As these last couple of months have gone by, I can tell they’re writing it for me now, and I have some input. [The character] does end up being you.’

In just two weeks, his character has proved to be a hit with the ladies of E20. Brian jokes, ‘Everyone thinks I’m a young Martin Kemp! They go, “Oh look, it’s Martin Kemp’s brother.”’

He adds, ‘Terry is a bit of a smoothie and a romantic, he’ll bring flowers and make the ladies laugh.’