'EastEnders' star Jamie Foreman: 'I want viewers to like Derek'

EastEnders' new recruit Jamie Foreman has revealed that he is trying to inject some of his own traits into his portrayal of Derek Branning.

The actor was cast as fearsome Derek earlier this year and his first scenes will air on tonight's episode of the soap.

Speaking on Daybreak this morning, Foreman hinted that he does not want the Brannings' eldest brother to be all bad.

"I have played a lot of those kind of characters before, but I try to bring something different to each one of them," he explained. "I think when you hit a show like this, you want to hit the floor running and you want to make him warm and make the audience take to him as quickly as possible.

"So you keep him a little bit close to yourself. Not necessarily all the nasty things he does, but the mannerisms, the way he is, the way he moves, that kind of thing."

Foreman also said that he is fitting in well on the set of EastEnders.

"It's brilliant. I've walked onto the show with all these guys who are so fantastic. I've just slid in like I've been there all my life," he commented. "It's been fantastic fun. And it's a character who you can do anything you want with - I love those! It's very easy work."

Asked whether he will watch his first episode tonight, he replied: "They've got me in the last scene of the day at work today, so I don't know if I'm going to get home in time for it! But all the family are there watching it, so that'll be lovely."

EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.

> EastEnders announces Derek Branning casting
> EastEnders' Derek Branning arrives in Walford - Spoiler Pictures
> EastEnders' Derek will bring conflict, says Jamie Foreman
> EastEnders star Jamie Foreman "proud" of Walford role
> Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning, chats to Digital Spy
> Read more EastEnders spoilers and news

Watch the EastEnders 'Branning Week' trailer below: