Lee Ryan has filmed his first scenes for his role in ‘EastEnders’.
It was only announced that the 33-year-old singer was joining the long-running soap earlier this month but there has been no time wasted as he’s already shot his debut as bar manager Woody and bosses have teased that he will "ruffle some feathers."
His arrival will hit television screens next week but details on how and why he rocks up in Albert Square and takes over the Queen Victoria pub while Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) is away looking after his daughter Nancy in Bulgaria are being kept secret.
Lee said recently: "Woody is the best role I could have wished to play.
"He’s a brilliant character and it’s clear he’s been leading a full and colourful life. I can’t wait for people to see what he’s like for themselves.
"Everyone at ‘EastEnders’ has been so welcoming. I know some of the cast already so I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of fun."
And, although he’s only just joined the programme, it looks like the Blue singer has already proved himself as executive producer Sean O’Connor is impressed.
He said: "I’m delighted to welcome Lee to Walford as ‘Woody’ Woodward.
"Woody is a man who has worked hard and played hard in bars, clubs and pubs around the world and has finally decided to stop wandering and put down some roots.
"He’s going to ruffle some feathers and obviously break some hearts so there’s a great deal to look forward to as soon as he burst onto the square. Lee is a perfect casting for Albert Square and we knew straight away we wanted him for the role."
Lee isn’t the only member of the boy band to have a career change as his band mate Duncan James is now a regular in the Channel 4 rival soap ‘Hollyoaks’.
Lee Ryan films his EastEnders debut
