Who is Dean Gaffney? Fomer EastEnders actor who’s made a comeback on BBC soap as Robbie Jackson
DEAN Gaffney is an indisputable Walford legend and he's finally back where he belongs after making a triumphant full-time return to EastEnders.
But what has the Albert Square icon been up to since first leaving the show and who is he dating? Here's all we know...
Who is Dean Gaffney?
Dean Gaffney is a 39-year-old actor best known for playing Robbie Jackson in EastEnders from 1993.
He was previously engaged to Sarah Burge, who he has two daughters with, but is now going out with model Rebekah Ward.
Last year people were left stunned after the actor posted a picture of himself with Rebekah, then 23, and his twin daughters Charlotte and Chloe, both 19 at the time.
His followers were left guessing which were his daughters and who was his girlfriend.
Who is Dean Gaffney's character Robbie Jackson in EastEnders?
Robbie Jackson is the son of Carol Jackson and Gary Bolton, and is the half-brother of Bianca, Sonia and Billie.
He first arrived on the Square in 1993 with his family and later found a badly treated dog on the street which he looked after and called Wellard.
Over the years that he was on EastEnders he had many jobs, but is best known for becoming the Square's market road sweeper.
Robbie was very unlucky in love and came across very awkwardly to women. He was engaged to Kerry Skinner back in 2000, but when she cheated on him the engagement ended.
But later he met Nita Mistry, and the pair eventually fell in love. They left to go and live in Mumbai with her son Anish.
When did Dean Gaffney return to EastEnders as Robbie Jackson?
Dean briefly returned to EastEnders a few times from 2004 until 2015 for his sisters' wedding.
After becoming one of British television's most recognisable faces of the '90s, Dean returned full-time as Robbie Jackson in June 2017.
Fans were surprised by Robbie's promotion from street sweeper to market inspector and that wasn't the only change - fans also picked up on Robbie's more stylish look and the absence of beloved pet pooch Wellard.
However, The Sun's Bizarre column exclusively revealed that the star is already fearing for his job, because the soap's new boss "isn't his biggest fan".
John Yorke, who replaced Sean O'Connor as the show's chief, triggered Dean's original exit from EastEnders back in 2003.
What happened to Robbie's dog Wellard?
Dean’s first stint on Albert Square saw dopey schoolboy Robbie teamed with the shaggy Belgian Tervuren and he remained by his side until Robbie’s exit in 2003.
Wellard was killed off in 2008, and when Robbie made a fleeting return in 2015 he was joined by Wellard II — a second dog named in honour of his old four-legged pal.
What did Dean Gaffney do after leaving EastEnders the first time?
Acting wise, Dean starred in The Bill until 2006 and took part in Ricky Gervais' Extras. He also starred in M.I.High and Crime Stories.
But he has mainly been taking part in various reality TV shows, most famously I'm A Celebrity in 2006.
He also starred in 2003's ITV reality show The Club and Let's Dance for Comic Relief in 2013.
Dean is doing his bit for charity again this year by appearing during BBC's special Children in Need coverage.
