First look at Derek Branning's son, Joey

Derek Branning's past catches up with him again when son Joey unexpectedly turns up in EastEnders. Hot on the heels of sister, Alice (Jasmyn Banks), Joey is sent by their mother to tempt her back home. But when he realises Alice wants to stay put, Joey resolves to show her exactly the kind of man Derek really is. Played by David Witts, charming Joey prides himself on telling it how it is, but is in fact a compulsive liar. He doesn't have to try hard to attract girls and he certainly likes to make them feel they've made the first move even if he's nudged them into it. David said: "I am delighted to be joining EastEnders after being a fan for so many years. Joining the Branning family couldn’t have come at a better time, especially after the recent British Soap Award wins". Building bridges with Joey is something Derek has wished for, but will he live to regret it? EastEnders' executive producer Lorraine Newman added: "Joey is a fantastic addition to the Brannings and after an explosive entrance onto the Square, he is set to break a few hearts as he campaigns to bring Derek down."

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.