Matt Di Angelo is best-known for portraying villainous Dean Wicks in BBC’s EastEnders, but prior to his soap role he starred in 2004 kids TV series I Dream as Felix

Dean Wicks has become of one Albert Square’s biggest villains in EastEnders, with actor Matt Di Angelo playing the role perfectly throughout the years. The character is soon set to face the music in court after The Six got him arrested for Keanu Taylor’s (Danny Walters) murder, despite Dean not killing the mechanic.

Matt, 37, was first cast in EastEnders at the end of 2005 and has become best-known for portraying Dean, who is the son of EE icon Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). While this is Matt’s standout role, the actor also appeared in a popular kids’ TV show before being cast in EastEnders. He portrayed Felix in the BBC series I Dream, alongside numerous other famous faces.

I Dream was a children’s musical TV comedy. Only one series of the show aired, with the episodes later being shown on CBBC. The programme was set at a fictional performing arts college named Avalon Heights near Barcelona and focused on 13 teenagers who attended the college. Matt starred alongside five other young actors, including Back to the future star Christopher Lloyd.

The eight members of pop group S Club 8 – Jay Asforis, Daisy Evans, Calvin Goldspink, Frankie Bridge, Rochelle Humes, Stacey McClean, Hannah Richings and Aaron Renfree – also starred in I Dream. The group played exaggerated versions of themselves, with each episode involving several songs and dance numbers involving both the band members and non-members.

Matt was just 17 years old when he starred in I Dream, and clips of his appearances can be found online. His character was aiming to find fame as an performer, but it in real life Matt achieved that dream shortly after I Dream came to an end. He was cast in EastEnders in December 2005, with his first scenes airing in January 2006. He left the soap the following year, but made a return in 2014, before exiting again in 2016.

Matt then reprised his soap role again last year, making a shock return to EastEnders. He’s been at the centre of the drama since arriving back in Walford, with Dean reuniting with his daughter Jade and investing in Beale’s Eels with Ian and Cindy Beale. His return to Albert Square was not welcomed by the residents, especially Linda Carter, who Dean previously raped but did not get charged by police.

Now, Linda, along with Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox, Suki Panesar and Stacey Slater, have framed Dean for Keanu’s murder at Christmas. It looks like Matt is due to once again exit EastEnders, with Dean set to be charged with the killing in upcoming scenes.