Currently, Keith is guest-starring on the soap for a special episode that focuses on Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) experience in the mental health unit.
Last month, Phil entered the unit after attempting to take his own life, with the special episode set across four weeks showing Phil’s progress.
Phil will befriend fellow patient Gaz, played by Keith.
Albert Square’s newest addition, Keith Allen, discusses his character’s place in @BBCEastEnders and the emotional story that brings him there.#TheOneShow 👉 https://t.co/Xs9aaZzBT8 pic.twitter.com/3W2C3zvF2t
— BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) March 19, 2025
Keith Allen nearly played a huge role on EastEnders
Talking on The One Show, Keith opened up about the role and shared he had previously been asked to play the on-screen father of Danny Dyer on EastEnders.
Danny played the role of Mick Carter from 2013 until his departure in 2022, with the character’s father, Buster Briggs, played by Karl Howman.
Speaking on The One Show, Keith revealed what it was that made him take the role of Gaz, teasing the answer “20 grand” adding: “I’m joking. That is obviously not true. It was on my bucket list anyway.”
The actor then revealed that he was once asked to play a relative of Mick, sharing: “Listen, I’ve been asked to be in EastEnders years ago – I think they wanted me to play Danny Dyer’s dad.
“And I was constantly getting calls from Danny, ‘Keith please please come … please please come and be my dad’.
“But I didn’t because I couldn’t commit to y’know a contract.”
Adding: “But when this came up it was a bucket list thing to do one episode.
“It’s just perfect and you can say that you have been in EastEnders, but the caveat to that is the actual enormity in terms of importance of this episode.”
Keith also described his part in EastEnders as an honour: “I mean, it’s an honour, to be honest, to be asked to be involved with it.
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“And I think it’s an incredible subject matter to be touched upon.
“But also you’re talking about a fella’s 40 year career of this character that he has religiously and assiduously stayed with and then his life is going to change and to be instrumental in that storyline is just … can’t believe it.”
EastEnders airs at 7.30pm on BBC One from Monday to Thursday.
