EastEnders casts British sitcom legends as George Knight's parents
Actors Christopher Fairbank and Elizabeth Counsell join the cast of EastEnders as Eddie and Gloria Knight, respectively.
Actors Christopher Fairbank and Elizabeth Counsell have been cast in EastEnders.
The BBC One soap will see Fairbank and Counsell make their debuts on New Year's Day, portraying Eddie and Gloria Knight, respectively.
Eddie and Gloria are the adoptive parents of Queen Vic pub patriarch and former professional boxer George Knight (Colin Salmon), who arrived in Walford in June 2023 with daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).
George has not seen his adoptive parents in over a decade and when they arrive it soon becomes clear that Eddie and Gloria are hiding a secret.
Speaking about Eddie and Gloria, executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: "We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the legendary and immensely talented actors, Christopher and Elizabeth, to the EastEnders family as they bring to life the characters of Gloria and Eddie.
"Although currently set to join for a short stint, Gloria and Eddie are thrust into the heart of the drama as they try to reconnect with their son but it soon becomes apparent why George has kept his distance."
In a statement, Elizabeth Counsell said: "I can honestly say it has been an absolute joy. The cast and all of the team behind the scenes at EastEnders are brilliant and have been so welcoming.
"Colin and I actually worked together before, and who would have thought that I’d be playing his mum almost thirty years later!"
Meanwhile, Christopher Fairbank added: "I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to join the cast of EastEnders. Everyone has been so welcoming, and it’s been fantastic to meet and work with the brilliant actors involved in the show."
Fairbank is best known for his role in the classic sitcom Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He has also appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as well as television roles in Andor, Sherwood, Doctor Who, and Sherwood.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Counsell is best known for her role in the BBC classic Brush Strokes and her stage work.
The character George is currently engaged to Queen Vic landlady Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) but is also the ex-husband of iconic character Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who was presumed dead until an episode earlier this year when she was unveiled as the true identity of George's missing wife Rose.
Earlier this year, executive producer Chris Clenshaw had teased to RadioTimes.com: "I don't want to say too much. In 2024, we’ve got a big Knight storyline.
“And yeah, I can confirm that we will see more Knights very early in 2024."
How will Eddie and Gloria fit in when they arrive in Walford, and what secrets could they bring?
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EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
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Authors
Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
