Former EastEnders star Michael Greco has spilled the beans on whether he’ll be making a comeback as Beppe di Marco.
The 54-year-old actor, famed for his role on the BBC soap from 1998 to 2002, hinted last year that he wasn’t opposed to a return. However, with the show’s 40th anniversary just around the corner, he’s given fans an update.
Michael spoke to Suffolk Sound about the possibility of making another appearance in Albert Square. Despite the recent returns of characters like Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) and the impending arrival of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), Michael disclosed that he hasn’t been asked to rejoin the cast for the landmark celebration.
He playfully suggested that if Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon) hadn’t met her demise on the show in 1998, which cut short a potential storyline involving Beppe, perhaps he would’ve been invited back already.
Michael Greco has said he won’t be returning to the Square
(Image: ReachPLC)
He shared: “If Tiffany wasn’t killed off she would probably have gone back to EastEnders, and then they may have asked me back. They are having their 40th anniversary and they have asked a lot of people back but they haven’t asked me back, but that’s OK as my career is heading in a good direction.”, reports the Mirror.
The professional poker player reminisced about his time on the show and working with the late Dame Barbara Windsor, in her role as Peggy Mitchell. In a recent catch-up, he fondly described Barbara as his “favourite” colleague and shared a memorable exchange they had about her widely reported affair with Sid James, her co-star in the Carry On films.
In that heartfelt interview, Michael also opened up about his passion for fitness and his aspirations to “stay fit and healthy” for his two sons; three year old Gianluca and Gianni, aged seven months. He expressed a profound sentiment: “I would give up every amount of success I have in my whole life to spend another 30 years with my boys.”
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role in Eastenders as Grant Mitchell ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary
(Image: PA)
He elaborated on his life’s most important role: “The greatest job I’ve ever had is being a father to my children. Keeping myself healthy and fit for them is my duty and my obligation. I had them late on in life in my 50’s so I need to stay fit and healthy.
“Keeping fit is a lot of hard work and dedication but it’s doable, there is a lot on social media about fitness but it’s from people in their late teens or early 30s, with good metabolisms, but for an older woman or man there isn’t enough around.”
He went on to say: “I’m approaching 56 and I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in – low body fat and I am at the gym 3/4 times a week. Nutrition is the most important thing. I don’t cut out foods, I don’t pound the treadmill – I do have a little bit of chocolate each day. I do intermittent fasting so I eat from 2pm-8pm and that’s it. I get up in the morning, take the kids to school and go to the gym.”
Michael then noted: “I have two kids, I’m constantly running about and I could easily just pick a sandwich here or there but it’s the discipline. Joe Wicks has cornered the health market but maybe there is room for someone a bit older to invigorate people in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s.”
He rounded off his thoughts with: “Your health is everything, you could be the richest man 6 feet under, what is the point. There is no point having a car that is 200k, or a watch that is 20k, your health should be number one. I put my children to bed every night, I kneel by them and say a little prayer, just please, give me another 30 years with my children, it’s all I want.”
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