EastEnders’ Les Coker is to become a permanent member of the cast.
The character – played by TV veteran Roger Sloman – is set to become a regular face on the BBC One soap along with his wife Pam (Lin Blakley) as they open a funeral parlour on Albert Square.
The soaps executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Les and Pam are part of our plans to rejuvenate the show’s older generation. It’s already so exciting to watch the chemistry between Roger and Lin on set, playing characters who have been together for so long, they know each other inside out. Or so they think."
Les has already surrounded himself in intrigue as he raised suspicions during a number of meetings with Dot Branning’s (June Brown) supposed grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) and residents of Walford are being warned as it’s been revealed that not only will he bury their loved ones but he will also bury their secrets in return for the right price.
Les’ wife Pam is described as a small woman with a big heart and an even bigger shoulder to cry on and she will be working on a flower stall on the market as well as in the parlour, but it’s said that her loyalty may be tested if she learns of her husband’s secretive behaviour.
Lin, who’s appeared in ‘Doctors’ and ‘The Football Factory’ in the past, said of her casting: "Being part of EastEnders is like going to work and being with another family, I’m really enjoying myself."
The couple are set to move to Walford later this month.
Les Coker joins EastEnders cast
