A changed MAN

RICKY CHAMP on the challenges ahead for fan favourite Stuart

- ALISON SLADE

EASTENDERS MONDAY-THURSDAY, 7.30 PM, BBC1 SOAP

Stuart Highway has come a long way in his four years in Walford. Initially, the villain, he's found love with Rainie, and this week the couple's surrogate, Bernie Taylor, gives birth to their son.

But the undertaker has also been left shaken by a recent diagnosis of breast cancer.

Here, in an exclusive interview, star Ricky Champ, 41, chats to TV Times about life in Albert Square and beyond...

How did you feel about Stuart having breast cancer?

Daunted, initially, because I felt a level of responsibility. I held off from doing any research at first because I wanted to play the shock and fear. But then the BBC linked me up with Macmillan, and I jumped on a virtual meet-up with a group of guys at different stages of breast cancer.

They were really excited because they want to raise awareness and they said this is the best possible scenario - a male in the public eye getting it, but not really getting it. My message is always this: Guys get breast cancer, too.