Brian Conley believes his late dad helped him land his 'EastEnders' role.
Brian Conley as Terry Cant
The 60-year-old comic was thrilled to be cast as Terry Cant earlier this year and he thinks his beloved father Colin - who used to work on the soap in the props department and put up posters of his son to boost his career - had a hand in his selection for the show.
He told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: “My father, who passed away 20 years ago, was a big fan of 'Enders'.
“I’m a big believer in fate and I’m convinced he was up there pulling the strings.”
Brian thinks his dad, who died in 1998, would be very "proud" to know he was working on the soap now, and he is "delighted" to be a part of the cast.
He said: “My dad would have loved to have seen me on the show, without a doubt. I know he’d be proud of me.
“I am lucky I was at a certain level of my career while he was still around.
“I’ve always wanted to be on the show and it has been fantastic. I’m delighted to be part of it.”
The comedian admitted the role is a dream come true because his new alter ego is so much like him.
He said: “My character is a cheeky cockney guy. He’s got the gift of the gab, he’s wheeling dealing. He’s a cheeky cockney and that’s me.
“I’ve established an entire career on that. As the months have gone on, they’re writing it more for me.”
While he's happy on 'EastEnders', Brian recently admitted he'd also love to be a judge on 'Britain's Got Talent'.
He said: "Is it true I would love to be a judge on 'Britain’s Got Talent'. I think I could contribute to that just because of all the things I have done in the business.
"I also did a show on BBC Two years ago called 'Let Me Entertain You' and that was way before 'Britain’s Got Talent'.
"I love nurturing talent."
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