Dean Gaffney

Early life

Gaffney was born in Hammersmith, London. He attended St Mark's Catholic School, Hounslow, and later trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone and the Corona Theatre School in Kew Bridge.

EastEnders

Gaffney's first appearance in the show aired in November 1993 and he remained in the role for eleven years. In 2003, executive producer, Louise Berridge, made the decision to axe Gaffney along with the actress Bindya Solanki, who played his on-screen girlfriend Nita Mistry. In a press report Berridge commented, "we do feel that the characters have reached the end of their natural course in the show, and they will both be leaving in Spring 2003". Since his initial exit Gaffney has made one further appearance in the soap, returning for a brief visit in 2004 for the wedding of his on-screen half-sister Sonia Jackson (portrayed by Natalie Cassidy).

On 25 October 2009 it was announced that Gaffney would briefly reprise his role as Robbie Jackson in EastEnders with his on screen family Lindsey Coulson, who played Carol Jackson, Natalie Cassidy and Devon Anderson who played Billie Jackson. The Jackson family made their comeback in February 2010 and were reunited with Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) as part of her wedding plot and EastEnders 25th anniversary celebrations.

Dean, alongside Natalie Cassidy, left later that month as anniversary week was over. However, Devon Anderson and Lindsey Coulson stayed. In June 2015 it was announced that Gaffney would once again briefly reprise his role as part of Lindsey Coulson's departure from the show. On 17 April 2017, it was announced that he would return to the soap full-time.

Other roles

In 1991, Gaffney played the Boy (alternating with another actor) in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in the West End, alongside Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson.

In November 2006, Gaffney appeared as a guest star on the long-running ITV serial drama The Bill. Gaffney played Gavin Josef, a cocky wide-boy who was connected to an assault investigation. This is Gaffney's second role in the programme, having previously appeared briefly as Paul Moose in 1993.

In 2007, Gaffney toured with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, performing The Unexpected Guest. He played Jan, a 19-year-old murder suspect with learning difficulties. He appeared in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Christmas 2007 Special of Extras, playing a fictionalised version of himself, working at the Carphone Warehouse with Merchant's character, Darren Lamb, and former EastEnders co-star Shaun Williamson.

In August 2008, Gaffney did some work for MTV, sharing some of his favourite songs which aired on MTV Hits. The show was named Dean Gaffney's Well Ard Hits, referring to his fictional dog Wellard on EastEnders. In September 2008, Gaffney appeared in an advert for the washing powder Daz as part of their running "Cleaner Close" advert.

He appeared in M.I. High in January 2009 in an episode called "The Mole". He also performed in a touring production of the play Calendar Girls throughout May – July 2010. He appeared annually on The Chris Moyles Show to turn on their studio's Christmas tree lights. It is unknown if new presenter Nick Grimshaw will keep up this festive tradition.

During Christmas 2011 he appeared in pantomime at the Thurrock Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex.

Reality television appearances

In 2003 Gaffney took part in the ITV reality television series The Club. Gaffney took on management of a bar in a London club named Nylon and competed with two other celebrities, Richard Blackwood and Samantha Fox, to be awarded the title of 'the most successful bar manager'. Gaffney was the eventual winner.

Gaffney appeared on the 2006 series of the ITV reality show, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Gaffney eventually left the jungle in fifth place following a double eviction on Thursday 30 November 2006. Gaffney was the eighth person to be voted out of the jungle, leaving just one day before the live final. In February 2013 he took part in Let's Dance for Comic Relief along with Natalie Cassidy, Claire Sweeney and Ricky Groves, dancing to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray.

Personal life

Gaffney lives in Dorking, Surrey. He and Sarah Burge are the parents of twin daughters, Charlotte and Chloe. Gaffney and Burge were in a relationship for 10 years and were engaged. While appearing on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Gaffney admitted to David Gest that he had an affair.

In January 2013, Gaffney suffered serious head injuries when a car he was travelling in collided with the central reservation on the A38 in Derby. Gaffney admitted he had not been wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident, and said "It could have been a lot worse. One inch down and I would have been blind. One inch up and I would have been brain damaged."