{"id":686970,"date":"2026-07-12T02:37:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T02:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/686970\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T02:37:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T02:37:14","slug":"hollyoaks-star-joins-eastenders-as-major-new-storyline-is-confirmed-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/686970\/","title":{"rendered":"Hollyoaks star joins EastEnders as major new storyline is confirmed | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Matthew
\n\t\tMatthew James Bailey has already commenced filming (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

Hollyoaks<\/a> star Matthew James Bailey<\/a> is set to join EastEnders<\/a> as part of major storyline which will unfold over the summer. <\/p>\n

The actor, best known for playing fan-favourite Ethan Williams<\/a> on the Channel 4<\/a> soap between 2021 and 2024, will arrive in Walford in the coming months as newcomer DC Craig Ingram. <\/p>\n

DC Craig is a younger colleague of Jack Branning<\/a>\u2019s (Scott Maslen) and is brought in to take over the long-time detective\u2019s workload.<\/p>\n

Denise Fox<\/a>\u2019s (Diane Parish), as viewers know, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia<\/a> (AML), a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer\u00a0that requires urgent treatment<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Jack has been by D\u2019s side since her diagnosis and visits the hospital regularly while she undergoes treatment, but his boss begins to suspect that he\u2019s struggling to balance the demands of his workload with being there for Denise, which is where Craig comes in. <\/p>\n

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And given that Albert Square has been the hub of all-things crime since 1985, it\u2019s not long before Craig is working on a case nearby. <\/p>\n

Matthew has already started filming and his scenes will transmit this summer. \u2018Joining EastEnders has been a dream come true,\u2019 he said of being cast in the long-running BBC soap. <\/p>\n

\u2018From it being the soundtrack to my childhood, always on in the background at home, to gathering around the TV with my family every Christmas, being able to play even a small part in such an iconic piece of British television is truly surreal.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"TX
\n\t\tJack has been worried about wife Denise, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year (Picture: BBC \/Jack Barnes \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

EastEnders boss Ben Wadey<\/a> added: \u2018We\u2019re delighted to welcome Matthew to EastEnders, and he has been a fantastic addition to the cast. <\/p>\n

\u2018Craig\u2019s presence in Walford forms part of a storyline involving the Brannings that will unfold this summer.\u2019<\/p>\n

Matthew is no stranger to the world of soap, having played the role of Ethan Williams on Hollyoaks for three years. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Matthew
\n\t\tMatthew is best known to fans for playing Ethan on Hollyoaks (Picture: Lime Pictures)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ethan
\n\t\tEthan embarked on a romance with Sienna (Picture: Lime Pictures)<\/p>\n

Quick-witted barman Ethan featured in several storylines across his tenure, including kidnapping Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson)<\/a> and embarking on a romance with Sienna Blake (Anna Passey), who he famously serenaded \u2013 with mimed vocals \u2013 in a now iconic scene.<\/p>\n

Ethan met a tragic end two years ago<\/a> when he was pushed from the balcony of his wedding venue by none other than Sienna, who he\u2019d married just hours earlier, bringing to an end star Matthew\u2019s time in the village. <\/p>\n

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Denise takes on killer Gray in EastEnders while hiding a heart-wrenching secret from family<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as one of the shows most controversial villains returns<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Devastating EastEnders death confirmed in Denise\u2019s heart-breaking cancer story<\/a><\/p>\n


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