EastEnders take over Essex

EastEnders' bid to take on everybody with an Equity card continues with news that David Essex is joining the cast as, obviously, a long-lost relative of someone who is already in the series.

Checks paperwork

Yes, it turns out David Essex is Shane Ritchie's Uncle.

Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer of EastEnders, said: "David Essex is a brilliant signing for EastEnders.

"He is a unique talent with a legion of fans, and he will bring warmth and charisma to the role of Eddie Moon. His arrival, alongside the return of son Michael, brings a new generation of the Moon family to Walford".

It's unclear whether there was any sort of petition demanding a new generation of the Moon family.