Blue star Lee Ryan is set to break hearts as the latest bad boy character to join EastEnders, but fans of the BBC soap are divided over the casting news.
The singer, who rose to fame in the English R&B group in 2001, will play the new character 'Woody' Woodward when he arrives in Albert Square this spring.
The 33-year-old musician, who had hits including All Rise and One Love with the chart-topping boyband, is set to "ruffle feathers" on the show. Looks like he's already ruffling feathers with the Twitterati.
Some fans are less than impressed.
So we've binned off Lin Blakley, Danny-Boy Hatchard, Rita Simons and Annette Badland for... Lee Ryan. LEE RYAN. #EastEnders
— Alfie Sheldon (@AlfieS12) February 15, 2017
#EastEnders is bleak Lee Ryan joining makes it even worse it's sad so sad it's a sad sad situation and it's getting more and more absurd.
— freddy krueger's nan (@krueger_nan) February 16, 2017
@bbceastenders @OfficialLeeRyan seriously?! I've been debating whether to carry on watching. Decision made for me! Bye Eastenders!
— Joanna Turner (@JoT134) February 16, 2017
@bbceastenders @OfficialLeeRyan we got 1 in river city and Holly oaks now eastenders..they can't act
— GazzaDoyle (@gaz4944hotmail) February 16, 2017
And there we have it @bbceastenders d final nail in d coffin. Will no longer watch.. Lee Ryan is joining Eastendershttps://t.co/VY1XkkAuaC
— Lisa Marie Ellis (@MsBlue1878x) February 16, 2017
Lee Ryan on eastenders 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Amy Francis (@AmyClareFrancis) February 16, 2017
Could the producers of #Eastenders chosen anyone more ridiculous to play a "bad boy" #LeeRyan #GMB
— WIN GALAXY S7 NOW! (@giveawaycayax) February 16, 2017
Can't believe you're joining my fave show! Congratulations, @OfficialLeeRyan Can't wait to see you on my telly! 💕💕💕
— Sauced 👅 (@Raegan_Jane) February 16, 2017
However, some commentators were excited by the announcement.
@bbceastenders @OfficialLeeRyan Omg really can't wait for this 😍
— Sarah Mcconville (@SarahMcconvil12) February 16, 2017
@simonwebbe1 @OfficialLeeRyan @bbceastenders oh my goodness that is so great. Cant wait to see him in this. CONGRATULATIONS LEE. xxxx
— anne-marie lowes (@annemarielowes1) February 16, 2017
@OfficialLeeRyan Well done Lee, I now have a reason to watch Eastenders!!❤❤
— Sara Geraghty (@TheBlondeOne86) February 16, 2017
@Carla_lala1 @OfficialLeeRyan big congrats Lee cant wait to see what Woody gets up too 😉 xx
— Aimee Wakefield (@Aims1981) February 16, 2017
Good luck on #Eastenders @OfficialLeeRyan - have to admit I'm looking forward to seeing you in a scrap with @MrDDyer 👊
— David Patterson (@DPatz13) February 16, 2017
Meanwhile, Ryan said he was "excited" about his short stint on the soap, saying: "Woody is the best role I could have wished to play.
"He's a brilliant character and it's clear he's been leading a full and colourful life.
"I can't wait for people to see what he's like for themselves. Everyone at EastEnders has been so welcoming. I know some of the cast already so I'm sure we're going to have a lot of fun."
EastEnders' executive producer Sean O'Connor said: "I'm delighted to welcome Lee Ryan to Walford as 'Woody' Woodward.
"Woody is a man who has worked hard and played hard in bars, clubs and pubs around the world and has finally decided to stop wandering and put down some roots.
"He's going to ruffle some feathers and obviously break some hearts, so there's a great deal to look forward to as soon as he bursts onto the square.
"Lee is a perfect casting for Albert Square and we knew straight away we wanted him for the role."
Ryan is following in the footsteps of bandmate Duncan James who joined the cast of Hollyoaks as the handsome policeman Ryan Knight last year.
