EastEnders casts West End star for new Freddie Slater story

Ellis is to play Freddie's old teacher, Mr Hawthorne. It's fair to assume the two aren't on great terms after Freddie claims the teacher humiliated him in school.

Following a pep talk from Bobby (Clay Milner Russell), Freddie overcomes his initial reluctance and is ready to confront his past and his former teacher over the treatment he received.

He heads to his old school with Bobby, Jean (Gillian Wright) and Harvey (Ross Boatman) throwing their support behind him and tagging along.

It seems that the long-overdue confrontation between Freddie and Mr Hawthorne goes well for the young Slater, who feels proud of himself for finally standing up to the teacher. But there might be more to the story, as Hawthorne could prove pivotal in a new twist for Freddie.

Ellis is known for his stage roles and for the 2012 movie adaptation of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, as well as having appeared on The Crown, Doctors and Father Brown.

Elsewhere on Albert Square, more new characters will be introduced in the coming months as Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) mum Elaine Peacock, played by Harriet Thorpe, comes to her rescue.

Elaine is joined by "doting dad" George Knight (Colin Salmon), relocating to Walford with his two daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).

Read more:

• Is Yolande Trueman returning to EastEnders as Patrick pines for her?
• EastEnders' Callum gives Jack ultimatum as Ravi worms his way into house
• 6 EastEnders spoilers: Kim and Denzel in horrifying crash - will they die?

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