Cornell joins EastEnders as Dexter's dad

Ava and Dexter are in for a shock next month when her ex-husband (and his long lost father) arrives in Walford looking for them.

New EastEnders character Sam James is played by Cornell S John, who has appeared in Kidulthood and Inside Men, and said: "It’s a great honour and pleasure to be joining the EastEnders family. I look forward to working with the cast and to Sam’s adventures on the square… doof doof."

Ava and Dexter haven’t seen Sam since he walked out when Dexter was a baby. Sam couldn’t cope with the responsibility that came with a new born and one day, when it all became too much, he went out for a pint of milk and never came back.

Sam has been living the single life ever since but after the recent passing of his father, Sam has decided he needs to get to know his son, however long that may take.

EastEnders describe Sam as charismatic, charming, a master manipulator and what Sam wants, he usually gets, while EastEnders boss Lorraine Newman said 'Cornell’s powerful presence and natural gravitas will ensure he’s a strong presence on screen.'

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Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.