Former EastEnders star Michael Greco has said he is keen for a comeback as Walford heartthrob Beppe Di Macro.
The character was last seen on Albert Square in 2002, four-and-a-half years after he was introduced along with the rest of the Di Marco family.
Some 22 years on, Michael would now love to take a call from bosses about making a return – but foresees one big problem with a potential comeback standing in his way.
He told Metro: ‘I wouldn’t say no to going back to EastEnders because I live 20 minutes up the road from the studios. Also because it was a great show and five of the best years of my life.
‘They’ve not asked me back yet but if they did, I would take the call.
‘The problem with my character is Beppe has no connections on the square anymore. There are no family or exes there. So it would be very difficult to introduce me to a storyline, but you never know.’
During Beppe’s time on Albert Square, he dated Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook and Kim Madcalf), making an enemy of her brothers Phil and Grant (Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp).
The police officer was also part of a love triangle storyline with Lynne Slater (Elaine Lordan) and Gary Hobbs (Ricky Groves), and had a business partnership with local club owner Steve Owen (Martin Kemp).
Michael said that he still maintains a friendship with Martin, continuing: ‘There are loads of people from the show that I’m in touch with on Instagram and Facebook. I love Martin [Kemp]. He was one of my best friends on the show, and I have seen him since I left. When I was living in L.A. he used to come over quite a lot.’
The actor – whose other credits include Casualty and Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, as well as reality TV appearances on Celebrity Love Island and Soapstar Superstar – also recalled his memories of working with some of EastEnders’ most iconic stars.
‘I was very nervous on the first day, as I was acting with these iconic characters. I was the new kid on the block, along with my screen brother and family. There was Tiffany, Grant, Peggy Mitchell, Bianca, Pat and Frank. They were all looking at me because it was my turn to do my part of the scene. It was almost like they were saying, “Who’s this guy? What’s he got?” I was very nervous! Even though I knew my abilities, I was very nervous to get it right with them looking at me.’
He continued: ‘I am such a huge Carry On fan, so working with Barbara Windsor [who played Peggy] was just the best. Being able to work with Barbara and just talk to her about the Carry On era was eye-opening.
‘It’s just so special that I was even a part of her life and we crossed paths. She was an incredible lady.’
Michael also recalled how he nearly ended up in other huge show when he was auditioning for EastEnders.
‘At the same time, they wanted to see me for a regular role in The Bill,’ he revealed. ‘I ended up getting offered both roles so I had to choose.
‘There was never any competition for me, as EastEnders was the number one show that I loved to watch with my parents. So I said yes to Beppe!’
After leaving the soap, Michael enjoyed a successful career as a professional poker player.
Speaking to Metro on behalf of FruitySlots.com, Michael said: ‘The thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve probably earned over a million dollars in prize money from tournaments. That was a very condensed half a decade of playing all the time and being flown here and there and everywhere. I do miss those days.’
He added: ‘When I was doing well at poker, I didn’t have time to act. I wouldn’t have been able to do both at the same time. It’s funny because the amount of money I was earning in this country playing poker completely outweighed any job offer that I’d had.
‘Even though my heart is back into acting now, I still have this burning desire to play poker again.’
