EastEnders casts Emmerdale star for big new role – and you’ll recognise him from a controversial storyline

There’s good news for EastEnders fans as a well-known TV star is joining the Walford ranks, with George Knight (Colin Salmon) coming face to face with his often mentioned but never seen son Junior.

George has had a hell of a time lately. After being forced to re-connect with his adoptive parents, his life fell apart when he discovered the awful truth of what had happened in his childhood.

Vile racist Eddie ( had killed George’s dad, and he and wife Gloria (Elizabeth Counsell) brought him up.

Eddie had tried to wheedle his way back into George’s life to callously use him as a character witness while on trial for a racially motivated killing.

The horrific truth of what Eddie had done sent George down a spiral, triggered in an episode that won the show critical acclaim, with many dubbing it the soap episode of the year so far.

George eventually stood up to Eddie, leading the monster into prison but faced further tragedy when mum Gloria passed away just when they were beginning to work things out.

As a form of destructive self-harm, angry George has been feeding his fury into bare-knuckle fighting but the consequences of the violent bouts are proving severe, with doctors warning a blow to the head could kill him.

Amid all of these complex feelings, there is still the ongoing spark with his ex Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) – and a recent kiss that could tear apart his marriage to Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe).

Things won’t settle down anytime soon for the popular but strained Queen Vic landlord, with EastEnders now confirming we will finally meet Junior.

And he is destined to create waves in the family and community.

Emmerdale viewers in particular will recognise Micah Balfour as Dr Germaine Bailey, an older and married GP who embarked on a scandalous affair with Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper).

The plot certainly divided fans and created dramatic waves in the village, with Cain (Jeff Hordley) eventually subjecting Dr Bailey to a vicious attack.

Dr Bailey would go on to claim that the 17-year-old was stalking him but, in a bid to try and keep the relationship going, Belle faked a pregnancy.

As you can imagine, it all very messily ended in tears.

Micah has had a wave of other TV roles too, featuring in The Bill, Doctor Who, Holby City, Silent Witness, Doctors, and Death in Paradise.

On landing the role of Junior, Micah enthused: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders as part of the Knight family. I grew up watching the show and many of the characters have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so walking onto the Square for the first time was the most surreal experience of my career!

‘It’s a privilege to work with Colin Salmon, who I’ve watched with admiration for many years, and Francesca Henry and Molly Rainford, who are dynamite on screen, as well as the amazing Harriet Thorpe and Kellie Bright.

‘Junior is an exciting character to play as he’s a complex man, and he’s going to cause a bit of a stir!’

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Micah Balfour to the cast of EastEnders as he takes on the role of Junior Knight.

‘Although Junior has been referenced since The Knights arrived in the Square, the audience knows very little about George’s son and the circumstances behind their estrangement.

‘Junior arrives in Walford following an unlikely meet with his dad and is quickly thrust into the heart of the drama.

‘However, it will soon become apparent to viewers that there is more to Junior than meets the eye…’

Micah’s filming is already well underway and he will appear on screen for the first time in coming weeks.