BBC EastEnders villain Dean Wicks star Matt Di Angelo’s life – real name and Strictly scandal

Villainous Dean Wicks could exit Albert Square after 18 years when Stacey Salter tries to frame him for murder.

After Keanu Taylor was murdered by Linda Carter at Christmas, The Six – including Sharon Watts, Linda, Suki Panesar, Stacey, Kathy Beale and Denise Fox – covered up the crime. But now his body has been found under the floor of the café, somebody will take the hit – and it could be Dean.

While Linda prepared to hand herself in, Kathy revealed they were setting up Dean instead, and Stacey went to plant the murder weapon at his flat. Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers went wild for the twist, with one person writing: “Dean won’t get framed”, while another said: “He’s probably got an alibi for that night.”

Dean, played by the talented Matt Di Angelo, first joined EastEnders in 2006 and quickly became a fan favourite. His shock exit two years later left viewers devastated, but in 2014, he made a return. Of course, the 36-year-old’s real life is a world away from his character’s. Here, the Mirror takes a look…

Real name

Not many people know that Matt Di Angelo’s real name is Mario Angelo S Constantinou, which reflects his Irish and Greek heritage. Born in 1987 in Enfield, London, Matt attended Southgate School before joining the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School. His training at the theatre school helped him secure major roles in BBC’s The Hustle and EastEnders.

Matt and Flavia’s romance was one of Strictly’s first romances ( 

Image:

UK Press via Getty Images)

The couple were together for three years before they split ( 

Image:

Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Strictly drama

Matt was once a fan favourite on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2007 and his romantic flirtings with his dance partner Flavia Cacace were the talk of the town. Their romance was one of the show’s first ‘scandals’, with Flavia splitting from her long-term boyfriend Vincent Simone early in the series.

The chemistry between Matt and Flavia was noticeable, and they grew closer as they edged closer to the Glitterball. Matt denied any involvement in Vincent and Flavia’s split, saying he only pursued her when he was sure she was single.

Speaking to the Mirror at the time, Matt gushed about Flavia’s beauty. He said: “I’ve never felt like this before. When I’m with her I have a stupid, schoolboy grin that says, ‘I think you’re amazing’. Being with her makes me very happy.

“I love her little pixie ears, her chic short hair, her transfixing smile. And that body, that six-pack. She’s stupidly attractive. Every guy in Britain knows it. She looks drop-dead gorgeous in her dancing outfits. But to me, she’s just as amazing when her face is scrubbed clean of make-up and she’s wearing baggy tracksuit bottoms.”

Matt, who was only 20 at the time, eight years younger than Flavia, came second to Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler in the competition. Despite his loss, Matt and Flavia’s relationship continued to thrive for three years, until they eventually split due to work schedules.

Flavia told The Sun at the time: “We have broken up. It was due to our work – travelling so much and being away from home so much. We are still in touch and very good friends.”