Boy band star Matt Willis joins the cast of EastEnders

Matt Willis, star of the band McBusted, has announced he is joining the cast of BBC One soap opera EastEnders.

The 30-year-old will feature as Luke, the boyfriend of Stacey Branning, who is played by Lacey Turner.

"I am so thrilled to be a part of such an iconic show," he said. "I grew up watching EastEnders, so this is really exciting for me."

He started filming his role in the programme earlier this week and his "short stint" will air in 2014.

Willis first rose to fame in the boy band Busted.

After the group ended he took part in, and won, the reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

He has also taken on a role in the return of the sitcom Birds of a Feather.

Most recently, he and former band mate James Bourne announced they would be teaming up with fellow boy band McFly to create the supergroup McBusted.

Other new faces joining the cast of EastEnders in coming weeks include Danny Dyer, who will soon be seen as Mick Carter, landlord of the Queen Vic.

Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "I've always loved Matt and it will be a real treat for viewers to watch him and Lacey together on screen as part of her return to the square.

"Luke gives as good as he gets, so is a great foil to Stacey. Pity she's been lying to him since the day she met him."

His character is described as ambitious and devoted to his girlfriend.

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