Soap star Danny-Boy Hatchard has revealed he found a ‘whole new respect’ for soap actors after working on the set of EastEnders.
The ex-EastEnders star, 30, played Lee Carter in the iconic BBC soap on and off between 2014 and 2020.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star at the Daily Mirror’s People’s Pet Awards, Danny said his time on EastEnders changed the way he saw soap actors forever.
The star spilled on the soap ahead of its 37th anniversary today (February 19) – with almost 40 years since its first episode aired on February 19, 1985.
Danny said: “I grew up watching soaps, my mum’s a big fan. A lot of my family are. I’ve just got a whole newfound respect for actors in soaps.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
“Whenever I work on other projects outside soaps and I’m working with someone who has been on a soap, I know they’re going to deliver.”
He later praised his EastEnders co-stars – saying they’re the best in the business when it comes to work ethic.
Danny said: “It’s a wonderful place [set], but you really have to work. I believe firmly, having gone out and experienced different film sets and having worked with incredible actors on different shows, that EastEnders, the work ethic there is second to none.”
“I’ve never known anything life it, I don’t think I ever will experience anything similar.”
He added: “It’s a magical place to work among, I would say, the best actors that this industry has to offer.”
(Image: BBC / Jack Barnes)
The actor went on to dish on the biggest challenges of acting on the EastEnders set – revealing that you have to “think on your feet” like being on stage and you don’t get many chances to shoot a scene again.
“You really have to think on your feet, you know? The only time that you really have to do that is probably on stage. It’s quite similar to stage really, because things are moving so quickly.
“You may get to run it [back] once or twice and then you have to nail it otherwise you’ll run behind, and then we’ll have to pick it up on another day.”
Danny says he still tunes in to watch his co-stars, and compared his allegiance to EastEnders being like supporting your favourite football team.
(Image: BBC/Gary Moyes)
“I’m very proud to be on the sidelines flying the flag. It’s kind of like supporting a football team. Like, I’m a massive West Ham fan and a massive EastEnders fan!
“Even though I’m not on the show anymore, I’m always keeping up to date with what’s going on. They give me some notice so I tune in to show some support.”
He also added that an unnamed co-star gave him a spoiler, so he clearly gets his fill of gossip as an alum.
Danny has since joined the BBC military drama Our Girl – where he plays Private Rhett Charlton, and he also starred as Lee in 2021’s British TV drama Ridley Road.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
