Aaron Sidwell returning to EastEnders

It has been announced that Aaron Sidwell is returning to BBC One's EastEnders to reprise his performance as Steven Beale after an eight year absence.

Sidwell, who has already returned to filming at the soap, first played Steven Beale in 2007. He left EastEnders the following year and went on to make his West End debut as Michael Dork in Loserville in 2012. 

His theatre credits also include: Jack Spratt in Carnaby Street (UK tour), Michael Carrington in Cool Rider (West End), Carl Bruner in Ghost The Musical (Frankfurt), Johnny in American Idiot (West End) and Joe/Jerry in Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse). 

Interview: Bonnie Langford

West End icon Bonnie Langford is currently preparing to play her solo show An Evening With Bonnie Langford at the London Hippodrome on 31st March 2016. 

Bonnie will be accompanied by the Winston Rollins Band with musical direction by Anthony England. Bonnie is currently starring as Carmel Kazemi in BBC One's EastEnders. Her most recent West End roles include Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Playhouse) and Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy).

Just a few of Bonnie’s extensive theatre credits include 9 to 5, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Sweet Charity, Oklahoma!, 42nd Street, Me and My Girl, The Pirates of Penzance, Cats, Gypsy and Gone with the Wind. On screen she has starred in Opportunity Knocks, Bugsy Malone, Just William, The Hot Shoe Show, Doctor Who and Dancing on Ice.

I recently caught up with Bonnie to discuss why she’s shaking things up for her new solo show, her special guests and what she enjoys about performing in such an intimate venue. We also spoke about EastEnders’ new found staginess and what people have been saying to her in the street…

On 31st March you’re having a night off from Walford to play a solo show at the London Hippodrome! Was it an easy “yes” when you were asked?

Oh yes! I’ve done my solo show many times before, but I haven’t done one in London for a while. They asked me ages ago but I couldn’t fit it in… then they asked me again and I decided I really wanted to do it because I’m not doing any music at the moment. I had a couple of weeks off in January and started thinking “I’ll add in this and I’ll do that instead” and of course now I’m working all hours trying to put it together! I know it will come together, I’m totally overworked and stressing but I didn’t want to just do what I’ve done before. I’ve decided to do some nice new stuff and I’ve been changing things up a bit. 

Bonnie Langford to play London Hippodrome

It has been announced that West End legend Bonnie Langford will play the London Hippodrome on 31st March 2016 at 8pm.

An Evening With Bonnie Langford will see the star singing songs and telling stories alongside some to-be-announced special guests. Langford will be accompanied by the Winston Rollins Band with musical direction by Anthony England.

Langford is currently starring as Carmel Kazemi in the BBC One's EastEnders. Her most recent West End roles include Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Playhouse) and Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy).

Leon Lopez lands guest role in EastEnders

West End actor Leon Lopez has landed a guest role in BBC1 Soap EastEnders.

Lopez will appear in a handful of episode later this year playing newcomer Linford, one of Claudette Hubbard's foster sons.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Lopez said: "I'm so excited to be working onEastEnders and still can't believe it! It really is a dream come true."

Most recently Lopez directed his debut feature film Soft Lad which is avaliable now on DVD. He returns to screen acting having played Jerome Johnson in Brookside between 1999 and 2002. Lopez's screen credits also include: The Courtroom, Holby City, The Bill, Hollyoaks: In the City and Doctors. 

Bonnie Langford cast in EastEnders!

Theatre icon Bonnie Langford is the latest West End star to be cast in EastEnders! The actress will play Carmel Kazemi, Kush’s mother in the BBC1 soap opera.

An Essex girl at heart, overly protective Carmel loves her children but has a tendency to embarrass them. With her outspoken ways, will she be able to win over the residents of Albert Square?

Langford said: "I’m so thrilled and delighted to be part of EastEnders. I’m a great fan of the show and think the recent 30th Anniversary was sensational and shows just how good British television can be. To be part of this family is an absolute privilege."

Denise Van Outen becomes latest theatre star to join EastEnders

Denise Van Outen has become the latest theatre star to land a role in BBC1's EastEnders.

Van Outen will join the cast for a guest stint in the spring; however, details about her character are yet to be revealed by soap bosses.

Van Outen said: "I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders, as I've been a fan of the series for years. 2015 marks the show's 30th anniversary, so it feels even more special to be part of this year's celebration."

Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "It was only a matter of time before Denise Van Outen walked onto the Square. We cannot wait to have Denise join us for a few episodes, where she will definitely make her presence felt."

Maria Friedman joins EastEnders

Maria Friedman has been cast in EastEnders as Elaine Peacock. The guest character  is Linda's mother.

Discussing the role, Friedman said: "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders to play Elaine Peacock. Working alongside Kellie Bright and the rest of the Carter clan has been an absolute joy. It has also been a lovely experience to take my West End shoes East for a short trip!"

Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "Ever since Elaine became the voice on the end of the Queen Vic phone, we have been waiting to see just what kind of woman made Linda Carter. Elaine is tough, warm and capable - but also proud and more than a little vain, bringing with her a whole new dynamic when she arrives in Walford to sort out her daughter. 

West End stars Declan Bennett & Danny-Boy Hatchard join Eastenders

Over the past few days it has been revealed that two West End stars are joining the cast of Eastenders.

Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels

Star of West End musical Once, Declan Bennett (pictured right), is joining the BBC Soap in the role of Dot Branning's grandson Charlie Cotton. Charlie - Nick's eldest son - will leave Dot shell-shocked by turning up on her doorstep unexpectedly later this year. He will begin filming at EastEnders later this month and appear on screen from March.

Newcomer Charlie is named after his grandfather, but Dot (June Brown) is currently unaware of his existence. Once Charlie is in Walford, viewers will be left to wonder why he has decided to track Dot down after so many years - and whether he has taken after the good or bad members of his family.

Declan said: "I'm delighted to be joining the cast of EastEnders, especially at what seems to be an extremely exciting time for the show. June Brown is not only an incredible actress but has also created one of TV's most iconic characters, so to be working alongside her is a dream come true."

Interview: Kellie Shirley, currently in One Man, Two Guvnors

Later this month Kellie Shirley is joining the West End production of One Man, Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket to play Pauline Clench, a role she previously played in the play’s UK and international tours. 

Kellie is best known for playing Carly Wicks in BBC1’s Eastenders between 2006 and 2012. Kellie’s television credits include: Lewis, The Office, Murder City, Parents of the Band, 20,000 Streets Under the Sky and The Bill while her film credits include: Frank, Girl on a Bicycle, Venus, The Grind, Heidi and Wimbledon.

Kellie also has an impressive list of theatre credits to her name. As well as touring Australia and Hong Kong during her time in the One Man, Two Guvnors international and UK tours, her theatre credits include: Rhoda at the Menier Chocolate Factory, State Fair at the Finborough Theatre, The Miracle at the National Theatre, Slam at Soho Theatre, Best of the Rest at the Royal Court and Cinderella at the Richmond Theatre. 

Last week I spoke to Kellie about why she decided to return to one of the West End’s funniest plays, her time in Eastenders and her theatre addiction…

After playing Pauline in the international and UK tours of One Man, Two Guvnors, what drew you back to reprising the role in the West End?

Well, I’ve never actually worked in the West End before. I’ve worked at the National Theatre and at the Royal Court and I was keen to ‘pop my West End cherry’ as it were! One Man, Two Guvnors is a really brilliant show and I love it. Plus it’s a great part and I play it slightly differently to the other girls who have played her before. Pauline’s quite a feisty dumb blonde and I really enjoy playing her. Obviously Owain (Arthur) who I love working with is returning to the West End production – he’s such a great actor. One of my really good friends, Amy Cudden, is also in the cast. She plays Rachel and I’ve got a big scene with her which I love because I’ve always wanted to work with her. So I love the show, love the cast, I’m working with some great friends and I can get the bus home every night – it’s perfect!

Eastenders star lands role in 'Tape' at the Trafalgar Studios

EastEnders star Marc Elliott has been confirmed for an upcoming production of Stephen Belber play Tape at the Trafalgar Studios in Whitehall, London. The actor who plays Syed Masood in the popular BBC soap will bow out from Walford on screen in November. 

When aspiring filmmaker Jon meets up with his best friend from high school, Vince - a volatile drug-dealing dropout, the conversation turns to Amy, Vince's first love, whom they both dated. Vince finally gets Jon to confess a disturbing secret, only then to reveal he has taped the entire conversation and that Amy is about to arrive any minute...