EastEnders Junior Knight star Micah Balfour’s life off-screen including real age
EastEnders actor Micah Balfour has become a key part of the BBC soap since joining earlier this year, playing the role of Junior Knight - but what do we know about the star's life away from the screen?
EastEnders’ Micah Balfour, who plays Junior Knight, has quickly become a key player in Albert Square since joining the BBC soap in May 2024.
Junior, the estranged son of George Knight, landed in Walford with a chip on his shoulder and a bag full of secrets. His tense relationship with his dad has been a hotbed for drama, with shocking revelations about their shared history rocking the Knight family to its core.
As Christmas draws near, Junior is gearing up to take centre stage in the eagerly awaited EastEnders Christmas special. Hints suggest a fiery showdown during the Knight family’s festive feast that could permanently alter the family dynamics, leaving Cindy (Michelle Collins) out in the cold.
With emotions hitting fever pitch and unresolved issues simmering, we’ve delved deeper into actor Micah and his life off-screen, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Past roles
Micah previously appeared in Emmerdale(Image: ITV)
Micah, a Peckham native, first made waves with his role as PC Benjamin Gayle in ITV’s police drama The Bill, a character he played until the show’s end in 2010.
Post-The Bill, Micah featured in the 2010 Christmas special of Doctor Who, taking on the role of the co-pilot. He starred alongside Matt Smith, who was the Time Lord at the time.
The soap star also had a stint as Dr Jermaine Bailey in Emmerdale from 2015 to 2016, where he played the village doctor who found himself in deep water.
In one of the storylines that gripped viewers, his soap character got into hot water after kicking off a romance with teenager Belle Dingle – a move that lost him his job and wrecked his marriage.
Touching down on social media after his Emmerdale exit, Micah couldn’t hide his emotions as he penned a heartfelt goodbye. Taking to the platform formerly known as Twitter, he dished out a candid thank you to all the viewers, admitting: “I know Jermaine wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea but I had a great time on #emmerdale! They made a fan out of me!”
Personal life away from the small screen
The actor is expecting a child with his partner(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Off-screen, Micah’s been hitting some serious personal goals, too. This past August, he and his other half, Nat, announced they’re expecting their first child in February 2025.
With half a decade of romance under their belts, the lovebirds took to the social media with their huge announcement, and suddenly, the congratulations were flying thick and fast. Revealing their secret on Instagram, an excited Micah spilled: “So we have some exciting news.”
The big reveal was topped off with a pic of a chalkboard set up beside flowers and a soft toy, not forgetting the snap of the baby’s ultrasound.
When he’s not working the camera or living it up in soapland, Micah is a regular on social media, his account @micahb4, is chock-full of candid shots and vids that give fans a backstage pass to his world, complete with a side of genuine gratitude for all the support.
Real Age
EastEnders fans were left stunned earlier this year when they discovered the real age of actor Micah. The star celebrated his 46th birthday on July 18, but fans couldn’t believe it.
A fan page wished him a happy birthday on X, revealing his age and sparking a wave of shocked comments. One fan wrote: “Blimey he looks at least 10 years younger than that!” while another added: “46? ? Doesn’t really seem to have aged since playing Ben in The Bill 15 years ago.”
A third fan chimed in: “The fact he can easily pass for a 33-year-old is amazing. I hope Micah has a good day.” In the soap, Micah’s character is around 38 years old, leaving fans amazed by the actor’s youthful appearance.
EastEnders airs Mondays-Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.
