EastEnders star Colin Salmon has revealed which former actors on the BBC soap inspired him.

The actor, 62, has played Queen Vic landlord George Knight since last year, and during that time has been at the heart of several huge storylines.

Whilst ex-wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) ‘came back from the dead’ after spending years in witness protection – and made it very clear that she wanted him back – the character learnt a horrifying truth about his parentage.

After learning that his parents had adopted him through a baby farming arrangement, he later discovered that dad Eddie (Christopher Fairbank) had murdered his birth father in a bid to stop him returning to Ghana.

This week, we saw him finally marry fiancée Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), despite her using Cindy as a honeytrap to see whether he would be unfaithful the night before their wedding.

In a dramatic turn of events, his brother Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) fell from a staircase following an altercation with Cindy and is now in an induced coma.

Colin and co-star Harriet have discussed their stint on the long-running soap in a new interview, where they were both asked about their highlights since joining.

‘The whole baby farming storyline, from the minute we stepped into George’s parents’ flat’ Colin told RadioTimes.

‘That scene of us together at the table was when we all bonded as actors beyond understanding, it was so raw yet it was all about love.

‘It was beautifully written. I’m really proud of it, the public didn’t know this really happened and were so open to learn about it. EastEnders doesn’t underestimate the audience, and I enjoy that.’

Whilst Harriet mentioned her pride to take part in a storyline that Elaine’s close friend Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) abused by her church Pastor, Colin took time to add which former EastEnders stars he looked up to.

‘The late Timothy West was one of my heroes and he was here, as was Anthony Newley – those guys were gods to me, so I feel very honoured to be a part of this show’ he said.

Timothy passed away earlier this month aged 90, nine years on from his role as Stan Carter.

Anthony played car salesman Vince Watson in 1998, and it was intended that he would play a new regular Walford resident. After making just three appearances, he passed away six months later.

Teasing the upcoming Christmas Day exposure of Cindy’s affair with George’s son Junior (Micah Balfour), Harriet added: ‘Cindy is always going to be looming over them. Some family problems just never stop!’

This yuletide, the secret will be revealed to both the Beale and Knight families in spectacular fashion, as a recording obtained by Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) details every gruesome detail of their fling.

The tape will be played for all to hear – and all hell will break loose in the two households!

Another classic EastEnders Christmas then…