Danny Walters (born 1 June 1993)[1] is an English actor, known for his roles as Tiger Dyke in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2014–2017) and Keanu Taylor in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2017–2020, 2022–2024).
Danny Walters | |
|---|---|
 Walters in 2023 | |
| Born | 1 June 1993 Harlow, England |
| Alma mater | London School of Musical Theatre |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Career
editFrom 2014 to 2017, Walters played Tiger Dyke in the ITV sitcom Benidorm. He also made guest appearances in the BAFTA-nominated BBC miniseries Our World War and the BBC series Call the Midwife, in 2014 and 2016. During Christmas of 2016, he took on the title role of Jack in his first pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Billingham Forum Theatre.[2]
In May 2017, it was announced that he would be appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portraying the role of Keanu Taylor.[3] He quit the soap in November 2019, and his final scenes aired on 21 February 2020. Walters made an unannounced return to the show on 13 December 2022 and made an unannounced departure on 25 December 2023 when his character was killed off.[4][5][6]
Personal life
editWalters grew up in Harlow, Essex and moved to Stansted, Hertfordshire during his childhood.[7] He originally wanted to be a Footballer, but wasn't athletic enough at the time, so was convinced by his mother to try acting classes at a drama school. Although Walters originally disliked the classes, he began enjoying acting after making friends with classmates and portraying Fat Sam in a production of Bugsy Malone.[7]
Walters has been in a relationship with girlfriend Maddi Faircloth, since 2021.[8][9]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Broken Hearts | Carl Lucas |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017 | Benidorm | Tiger Dyke | 30 episodes |
| 2014 | Our World War | Mike Weston | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Call the Midwife | Leslie Matlin | Series 5, episode 7 |
| 2017 | Children in Need | Chimney Sweep | Children in Need 2017 |
| 2017–2020, 2022–2024 | EastEnders | Keanu Taylor | 402 episodes |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Newcomer | EastEnders | Nominated | [10] |
| 2017 | Inside Soap Awards | Sexiest Male | EastEnders | Nominated | [10] |
| 2018 | 23rd National Television Awards | Newcomer | EastEnders | Won | [11] |
| 2018 | I Talk Telly Awards | Best Soap Performance | EastEnders | Nominated | [12] |
| 2019 | 2019 British Soap Awards | Best Actor | EastEnders | Nominated | [13] |
| 2019 | I Talk Telly Awards | Best Soap Performance | EastEnders | Nominated | [14] |
| 2024 | RadioTimes.com Soap Awards | Best Exit | EastEnders | Won | [15] |
References
edit- ^ "EastEnders actor Danny Walters' stunning girlfriend revealed as Keanu and Sharon's love affair continues". RSVP Live. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ Cordner, Chris (6 December 2016). "REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk, Forum Theatre, Billingham". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
- ^ "EastEnders: Meet the Taylors, the new 'not-to-be-messed-with' family". BBC News. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ Knight, Lewis (26 December 2023). "EastEnders star Danny Walters breaks silence on Keanu Taylor death". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Lindsay, Duncan (26 December 2023). "'It's been a blast!' EastEnders star Danny Walters responds as Keanu Taylor dies in brutal Christmas ending". Metro. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Denby, Laura (21 December 2023). "Is Keanu Taylor the dead body in EastEnders at Christmas?? All the clues and theories". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (5 June 2017). "EastEnders newcomer Danny Walters reveals Keanu Taylor role gossip and why he left Benidorm". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Bannon-Ward, Shauna (27 December 2023). "EastEnders' Danny Walters' romance with girlfriend Maddi, breakup and life after soap". RSVP Live. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Goyal, Darshita (17 December 2022). "Danny Walters Is Keeping His Relationship On The DL (Sort Of)". Bustle. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ a b Harp, Justin (22 August 2017). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ Lazarus, Susanna (23 January 2018). "National Television Awards 2018: winners in full". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ Gonzalez, Elliot (3 November 2018). "I TALK TELLY AWARDS Nominations 2018". I Talk Telly.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (9 April 2019). "British Soap Awards 2019 nominations revealed: Which Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors stars are up?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Gonzalez, Elliot (2 November 2019). "I TALK TELLY AWARDS 2019 Nominees". I Talk Telly.
- ^ Cremona, Patrick (13 July 2024). "RadioTimes.com Soap Awards winners: Full list revealed". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.