John Altman's dad used to call 'EastEnders' "DeadEnders" because of the show's gloomy storylines.
John Altman
The 69-year-old actor - who played the iconic Nick Cotton in the BBC soap - has revealed that his dad was happy to poke fun at 'EastEnders', despite the show's popularity with viewers.
John - who now plays a character called Alan in the radio soap 'Greenborne' - shared: "On what my dad used to call 'DeadEnders', if you go there as a happily married couple, sooner or later, someone is going to be unfaithful or die.
"Alan is on his second marriage and is delighted by having a young wife Beverley, who is attractive."
John will forever remain synonymous with his 'EastEnders' character.
But he's also relished the experience of playing someone so distinctly different from Nick.
He told the Daily Express newspaper: "Any actor is always keen to play a part that he's never done before.
"I had never played a landlord before and relished the thought of getting my teeth into a character who is very different from Nick. They are chalk and cheese. The only thing they have in common is they are both from London."
Nick was killed off by 'EastEnders' bosses after taking a heroin overdose in 2015, and John remains disappointed by the manner of his exit from the show.
He said: "I'm sorry they bumped him off. When I left, I got loads of letters from fans complaining. It was such a waste to sacrifice that character.
"At least he could have gone out with a bit more of a bang - on the roof of Dot's house firing a handgun with helicopters flying over-head and the whole square sealed off by snipers. That would have been great - although I'm not sure the BBC budget would have stretched to it."
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