EastEnders Sean Slater actor Rob Kazinsky is returning to Walford but why was he suspended and what was the sex scandal?

ROB Kazinsky is set to reprise his role as Sean Slater in EastEnders after 10 years away from the soap.

But who is the 35-year-old actor but why was he suspended and what was his sex scandal? Here's everything you need to know...

Who is Rob Kazinsky?

Rob Kazinsky is a British actor who played Sean Slater in BBC One soap EastEnders from 2006-2009.

His real name is Robert John Appleby and he was brought up in Brighton.

Rob has one brother called Micheal. He trained at the Guilford School of Acting.

He took his grandfather’s middle name as his stage name.

Prior to his role in EastEnders, Rob starred in Sky One drama Dream Team. He played a character called Casper Rose from 2005-2006 before being killed off.

He joined EastEnders as Sean Slater in August 2006 and his last appearance was January 1 2009.

Why was he suspended from the soap and what was the sex scandal?

In 2007 Rob was temporarily suspended from Eastenders after allegedly bombarding a model with inappropriate texts.

He sent the model lewd pictures and messages after meeting her through the social media site MySpace.

The actor was temporarily suspended from the soap while bosses investigated his conduct.

Speaking at the time, the model told the Sunday People: "I can't watch EastEnders now. Every time I see him on screen I think of that horrible picture. It makes my skin crawl."

According to the Sunday People the actor sent glamour model Aimi  Robinson an "obscene photo of his penis", and a bizarre picture of a pig with a penis as his head while telling her his sexual fantasies.

She claimed at the time: "Just because I'm a glamour model doesn't mean I'm into all that stuff. I would rather have the real thing than a photo.

"I just thought, 'Here we go, just another creep'. What's that supposed to do for me? He was obviously boasting, and showing he is a natural ginger.

"It wasn't even done very well. He was wearing a horrible jumper and you could see a Dyson vacuum cleaner in the background."

He swiftly apologised with a statement saying sorry “for any offence caused and for bringing the show into disrepute” and returned to the soap for a further two years – but his reputation was tarnished and his contract wasn’t renewed.

What else has Rob Kazinsky been in?

After leaving EastEnders Rob Kazinsky moved to LA to try and crack the notoriously tough American market.

He’s one of the few soap actors to have had success after leaving Britain and has had roles in hit shows True Blood and Brothers and Sisters.

Sean’s also starred in movies such as Red Tails – which was directed by Star Wars legend George Lucas, Pacific Rim and Warcraft.

In 2015 he was cast as the lead role in Fox drama Second Chance where he played a murdered man who was genetically brought back to life.

Is Rob Kazinsky returning to EastEnders?

He is indeed! It was announced on January 17 2019 that Rob would be reprising his role as Sean Slater in EastEnders for a short period after ten years away from the Square.

Rob said of the news: “This year marked ten years since Sean fled from Walford after plunging into a frozen lake. A decade since I left the studio at Elstree and Sean Slater behind to move to the USA to chase a dream that seemed so farfetched.

“Throughout my career I have always felt that my best work was on EastEnders as Sean Slater, that there was something there in him that I understood completely, something traumatic, something that we never really got to show the viewers. I have unfinished business in Albert Square and am thrilled to be returning to what I still consider to be my home, however briefly.

“EastEnders is still the most important serial on British Television, never afraid to combat hard storylines and tell hard truths, I have always been proud of what EastEnders has done for social awareness throughout my lifetime and that is why I’m back. To tell a story that means something to me with the family that I know can tell it right.

“I can’t wait to see my Slaters again and see what’s in store for Sean as he brings an evolved animal to Albert Square.”

Kate Oates (Senior Executive Producer, EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City): “I’m beyond delighted to see Rob back in Albert Square and back at the heart of the Slater family.

“As an actor, Rob created a modern EastEnders icon in Sean; and as a creative, he has had much input in his returning story.

“It’s exciting to work with an actor with Rob’s drive, passion and eye for detail, and I can’t wait to see the impact his arrival has on the Square amidst those who loved or loathed the troubled Sean Slater.”