John Altman is to reprise his role as bad boy Nick Cotten in ‘EastEnders’.
The 62-year-old actor’s nasty alter-ego will cause a shock upon his return to Albert Square after it was revealed in March that he’d apparently died of a heroin overdose.
John said: "After a five-year break I’m very pleased and looking forward to returning to ‘EastEnders.’ With the promise of some hard-hitting and gritty storylines I’m sure the residents of Albert Square will be none too pleased to see Nick Cotton."
Nick’s mother Dot Branning (June Brown) was left devastated when her long-lost grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) told her the tragic news of her son’s passing four months ago.
However, viewers saw Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) discover the truth in last night’s episode (28.07.14) when she answered Charlie’s phone and recognised Nick’s distinctive brash voice on the other end of the line.
Carol – who is battling with breast cancer – will now attempt to find out why Charlie faked Nick’s death and what the villain has in store for Dot when he returns.
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained: "As we approach EastEnders’ 30th anniversary, it’s only fitting that our original bad boy – and soap’s most iconic villain – returns to Albert Square to cause more trouble for his Ma."
Viewers last saw Nick – who appeared in the very first episode of ‘EastEnders’ in 1985 – in 2009 when he fled Walford after holding a number of residents hostage at the café.
John Altman reprises bad boy Nick Cotten role in EastEnders
