It has been announced that the character of Peter Beale will be returning to Eastenders with a new actor set to take on the part.
The character will return to Albert Square next year after almost five years away when he will be played by newcomer Dayle Hudson.
Peter, the son of Ian Beale, was last played by Ben Hardy before his departure in 2015.
The character has been played by six actors including Hardy. He has been involved in some major storylines over the years, most recently the Who Killed Lucy? saga around the death of his twin sister in 2014.
After a nearly year-long investigation, Lucy's half-brother Bobby Beale was revealed as her killer. The news was too difficult for Peter to bear, and he left Albert Square for a new life in New Zealand.
Hudson is set to make his TV debut as Peter when the character returns to EastEnders next year.
Speaking about joining the show, he said: "I am really grateful and excited to have the opportunity to work on such an institution of British television, alongside some incredible actors.
"Peter has been away for some time so I can't wait to find out what he's been up to and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for him."
EastEnders' executive producer Jon Sen added: "As soon as I met Dayle, I knew he'd be the one to bring Peter Beale back to Walford.
"Peter's a young man with a big heart but a bruised soul and Dayle's a talented actor who captures his complexity perfectly. I welcome him to the company and can't wait to start working with him."
