Legendary EastEnders star Michael Greco says he could be lured back and is up for reprising his role as Beppe di Marco.
Beppe's character left the show in 2002 after his mother's funeral to be with his family in Leicester and since then the actor who portrayed him has taken part in a number of other shows including Celebrity Love Island, Soapstar Superstar, Casualty, and he was also the voiceover for America's Hardest Bounty Hunters.
Since leaving the show more than 20 years ago, he has carved out a career as the most successful celebrity poker player in the UK, around a million in prize money as he continued acting. But fans will always remember him as the gravel-voiced Italian who wood dozens of women in Albert Square.
Asked about returning to the BBC soap, he said: "I wouldn't say no, because I live 20 minutes up the road from the studios. Also because it was a great show and five of the best years of my life. They've not asked me back yet but if they did, I would take the call."
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BBC)Image:
BBC)But he accepts there's a big issue holding back a return. "The problem with my character is Beppe has no connections on the square anymore. There are no family or exes there. So it would be very difficult to introduce me to a storyline, but you never know."
In a new interview with casino and slot website FruitySlots.com, he says working on the soap was the best five years of his life, and dishes on his close friendship with former co-star Martin Kemp and his treasured memories of the late Barbara Windsor. "It’s just so special that I was even a part of her life and we crossed paths," he said. "She was an incredible lady."
In recent years he's made a television comeback, working on a Netflix show. He starred as Pothinus in Queen Cleopatra, a four-part series. His character was the brother of Cleopatra, who was played by Adele James. He had another big change in his life of late as he became a dad for the first time in 2022 before little Gianni arrived earlier this year.
The actor welcomed first son with his girlfriend Helen Harris, who they named Gianluca but the tot's birth was incredibly traumatic for them all. Gianluca, whose name is Italian and means gift of god, was born six weeks early as he had a rare defect called Gastroschisis, which is when the intestines are found outside of the baby's body and other organs, such as the stomach and liver can also be affected.
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The actor shared the news of his birth online, writing: "My boy. Gianluca Greco. Born July 1st 2021. Weighing 4.47lbs. The little man was born prematurely due to the fact that previous scans had failed to pick up his rare birth defect called Gastroschisis. The consultant suggested it was best for him to born early so that he could get the necessary care and attention. He was born at University College of London Hospital @uclh.
"Their staff were extremely professional and Mother and Baby could not have been in better hands. Dad was a 'tad' emotional to say the least! Baby has already had his first operation to replace his bowel where it should belong and is under the world's best care of @greatormondst where he will be in ICU for a while and most probably for up to 6 weeks. My heart is full already and this is by far the best day of my life. I love you Gianluca more than I can ever imagine."
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