Richard Blackwood's debut as EastEnders villain will be live

Actor, rapper and stand-up star Richard Blackwood will make his EastEnders debut during the show's 30th birthday celebrations next month.

The iconic soap will screen a 30-minute live episode in its anniversary week - and all episodes in the same week will include live elements.

"EastEnders is a show I've grown up watching so to film on Albert Square is something I'll never get used to," said Richard, whose past actng roles include a turn in Shrek The Musical.

"To know my first ever scene will be a live one hopefully means the team believe in me and I won't let them down!"

EastEnders bosses have been tight-lipped about Richard's role, confirming only that he will play a villain in what is tipped to be an 'explosive' storyline.

"Richard Blackwood has always been on our EastEnders wish list – and now the perfect part has come along," EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said.

"Richard's an authentic Londoner and a terrific actor, bringing with him warmth, humour and energy which will add so many layers to this 21st century EastEnders villain. The status quo in the Square is about to be well and truly shaken," he added.

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.