Gillian Wright would’ve "loved" Adrian Edmondson to have starred in ‘EastEnders’ for longer.
The soap star – who has played Jean Slater since 2004 – enjoyed an on-screen romance with Adrian’s alter-ego Daniel Cook before the character lost his battle with cancer in February, and she admitted they were telling a very specific story over the eight months.
Speaking on the show’s official Instagram account, Gillian said: "It was joyous!
"I loved, loved, loved, loved working with Ade Edmondson, and yes I would have loved for him to have stuck around and to explore the relationship of Jean and Daniel for a longer time.
"However, that wasn’t the story that Ade came in to tell – and the story was about newfound love … facing the end of life."
The 59-year-old actress admitted her character’s cancer storyline was daunting, but she was determined to honour those who have been through similar situations.
She added: "I felt challenged, I felt daunted, and I felt hugely responsible for being as truthful as I possibly could be telling the cancer storyline from Jean’s point of view.
"I have friends and family who have struggled – are struggling – with cancer, some who have made it through to the other side, and some who haven’t."
Daniel passed away in February, months after faking his own funeral, and actor Adrian previously admitted he’d love to have made a spin-off with co-star Gillian.
He said: "It’s cracking. It was offered as a story of this bloke.
"And if you cut our bits together it makes a nice series of its own I think."
Gillian Wright would’ve ‘loved’ longer EastEnders stay for Adrian Edmondson
