David Essex's 'Enders character re-cast

Actor Nicky Henson has been cast to play the part of Jack Edwards in EastEnders, the BBC has confirmed.

The announcement comes only a month after singer David Essex quit the role as father to Honey Edwards (Emma Barton) before even hitting our screens. His decision to leave was prompted by music commitments as show bosses decided the character would be on-screen for longer than originally planned.

Of his new role, Henson said: "I'm really looking forward to joining EastEnders. Jack gets stuck in from the minute he arrives. He is your typical over-protective dad and seems intent on giving Billy a hard time from the start."

Henson, who has guest-appeared in a string of TV shows such as Fawlty Towers, A Touch of Frost and Bad Girls, will be on screen from the end of February.