Albert Square favourite Dean Gaffney has admitted that EastEnders stars are currently afraid that their jobs aren’t safe.
The actor, who plays Robbie Jackson, reveals that the cast are fearful that new boss Kate Oates will go on a mass axing spree.
After all, fans believe it’s what she did during her time on Coronation Street.
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Talking to the Mirror about the arrival of Kate, 40-year-old Dean said: “Of course Kate will make changes, that’s inevitable.
“I think you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t worried when your contract comes up for renewal.”
He added: “Mine doesn’t come up for a while, so I’m okay for the moment, but it’s squeaky bum time for every actor, no one is bigger than any show.”
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Speaking at the Inside Soap Awards 2018, Dean continued: “We’ve had a cast meeting with Kate, which has been nice. Everything she said was all good stuff.
“She was saying how EastEnders is a big show and we need to carry on moving forward, she had fighting talk, it was great to hear.
“I think if you’ve run three of the biggest shows in soap history – the accolades speak for themselves.”
Kate joined the BBC soap this month, taking charge of EastEnders, Holby City and Casualty.
During her years at Coronation Street, Kate Oates was responsible for the Bethany Platt sex ring storyline, Rita’s brain tumour, Kate and Rana’s love story, Michelle’s miscarriage, David’s rape ordeal and, more famously perhaps, Pat Phelan’s reign of terror.
Pat killed off Michael Rodwell, Vinny Ashford – aka Harvey McArdle – Andy Carver and Luke Britton.
However, in a recent interview with the Metro, Kate insisted she isn’t planning a cull.
She said: “It’s always been the case that cast members come and go from serial dramas.
“But I’m not a big fan of axing sprees because I think you have to have faith in the talent you inherit and need to work out the best way to use it.”
The writer added: “It’s also not great for morale, which is important to me.”
Dean also teased an exciting Christmas storyline, sharing that “a returnee is coming back […]. I think they’re iconic with EastEnders”.
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