We’ll never forget the infamous New Year’s Eve episode that saw EastEnders’ badboy Dennis Rickman stabbed to death in typical dramatic fashion.
Heartthrob actor Nigel Harman played the son of EastEnders villain Dirty Den and Paula Rickman and won the hearts of viewers across the nation.
Nigel’s character Dennis quickly became a fan-favourite on EastEnders, with his most memorable storyline stemming from his forbidden romance with his adoptive sister Sharon Watts.
READ MORE: Jacqueline Jossa feared EastEnders return would be a ‘flop’ as she ‘forgot how to act’
While viewers were sad to see him leave Walford, the star went on to appear in a series of major TV hits including Downton Abbey and Hotel Babylon.
The star ultimately stunned fans when he made a surprising career U-turn. As rumours of his Enders’ return swirl, let’s take a look at where the star is now 17 years after his brutal on-screen death.
Career U-turn
(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
EastEnders actor Nigel Harman, 49, has had a very different change of job after his character Dennis Rickman was killed off the soap 17 years ago.
Nigel, who played Dennis Rickman from 2003 – 2005, turned his back on Albert Square and is now a meditation coach.
The TV icon refers to himself as The Meditating Actor on his website which offers coaching, workshops and other forms of guidance surrounding meditation.
(Image: themeditatingactor/Instagram)
He writes: “Meditation isn’t only for people with shaved heads and orange robes. It can help anyone live a more relaxed and fulfilled life.
“When you return to the natural presence, which is in each of us, you can find true peace.”
The 49-year-old says he was so moved by the impact that mediation had on his life that he wanted to share it with others.
He added: “”I started meditating over a decade ago and I’ve felt the positive impact it has had on my life and on those around me. Wherever in life we are, each of us will have periods where we feel we are out of step with ourselves, treading water, or even adrift.
“Taking a moment to Pause, Relax, Open, reconnects us with ourselves and the life that is here, right now, all around us. That’s why I want to help you get started or deepen your practice by sharing practical tips, techniques, and advice.”
Steamy Sex Session
(Image: PA)
Viewers were left hot under the collar when it was reported that the heartthrob actor blindfolded and dominated his girlfriend and loved talking dirty during steamy sex sessions.
The People revealed that Walford’s mean and moody Dennis Rickman acted more like his screen dad Dirty Den Watts as he romped all night with gorgeous PR girl Charlotte Brant.
Charlotte, 33, told how super fit Nigel loved to be in charge during their sex sessions, admitting that he blindfolded her with a silk scarf and held on to her hair as she shivered with pleasure.
She claimed that the pair romped “all night” before the star went on to film bedroom scenes all day with co-star Letitia Dean.
(Image: BBC)
Charlotte, who had an intense four-week romance with the star, told The People: “Nigel’s body is amazing. He is certainly all man and really well endowed.
“He loved to take the dominant role in sex. One night when we were at my flat I had a silk scarf hanging over the side of the bed. In the middle of us making love, he grabbed it and blindfolded me.
“Nigel would often pull my hair – not hard – but he’d grab it in a sexy, passionate way, like he was keeping hold of me.
“He’d always have his eyes open during sex, watching for my reactions, asking if I liked what he was doing and talking dirty while he aroused me.”
Nigel, who is quitting EastEnders despite being voted sexiest male and best actor for the second year running at the Inside Soap Awards, was introduced to Charlotte at the National TV Awards by co-star Shane Richie.
She further detailed their romance, claiming: “He kissed me and touched me all over, not leaving any part of me untouched. He was very gentle but really dominant.
“He loved my breasts and gave them a lot of attention, kissing and touching them, running his tongue all over. We made love all night without sleeping. He had so much stamina and kept going time and time again.”
Soap Return
Nigel revealed he would return to EastEnders if there was a believable storyline to bring him back from the dead.
The 49-year-old famously played Dennis Rickman on the BBC soap but was killed off on New Year’s Eve in 2005 when he was stabbed to death.
Speaking on Loose Women about a possible comeback, Nigel admitted he would consider it because his character’s son with Sharon lives on.
He said: “We would have to come up with a story line, but I loved it.
“It would be difficult to find a storyline that was believable. Maybe a twin?”
The actor, who has since appeared in Downton Abbey, isn’t entirely up to date with the soap though, adding: “I dip in and out. I don’t really watch it enough to fully the storylines.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
