Villain’s actor son ready to bring gangster-role experience to EastEnders

The actor, who specialises in thugs and nasties, will play Derek Branning – who is set to spark trouble when he sets foot in Walford.

The star is the son of Freddie Foreman, a former associate of the notorious Kray brothers in the 1960s.

He was jailed for a decade for disposing of the body of Jack “The Hat” McVitie.

Derek has been a figure in name only for many years in EastEnders and has been out of the Brannings’ lives for many years.

The show’s producers say he is intent on being “king of the Square” when he finally shows up.

Foreman, who has dated Patsy Kensit, has starred in Roman Polanski’s Oliver Twist as well as Nil By Mouth and Gangster No 1. And he appeared in ITV gangland drama Family, alongside former EastEnders actor Martin Kemp who played Steve Owen for many years.

He said of his new role: “I am hugely excited to be joining such an iconic show. EastEnders is full of fantastic actors so it is a role I couldn’t refuse.

“The Brannings are such a great family to be joining and I am extremely interested to see how Derek is going to fit in.”

Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer of the BBC1 soap, said: “Loyal EastEnders viewers may know that the fearsome Derek Branning, eldest son of Jim, has been a shadowy presence looming over the rest of the family for years.

“So it’s a real coup to sign Jamie Foreman to play the biggest, baddest Branning brother. Jamie has an incredible acting pedigree, having starred in some of the best British movies of recent times, and we can’t wait for him to bring his unique talents to Walford.”

A show source said: “Out of all the Brannings Derek is the one that most people fear. Although he can be charming he will be the one that can out alpha almost any man in Albert Square, maybe even Phil. He is going to cause a lot of disruption to his family”

Foreman will be seen on screen later this year.