Richard Blackwood announced as new EastEnders villain ahead of soap's 30th anniversary

Blackwood - who once had an eponymous comedy show - will replace ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton as the show’s trouble-maker

EastEnders bosses have been tight-lipped about Blackwood's role (Ian West/PA Wire)

Richard Blackwood will debut as an EastEnders villain in a live episode that will mark the BBC soap’s 30th anniversary next month.

The actor, comedian, singer, DJ and former MTV host will begin filming in Albert Square in February.

Blackwood - who once had an eponymous comedy show - will replace ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton as the show’s trouble-maker, in the week when the character is set to be killed off.

EastEnders marks its 30th anniversary in February with a 30-minute live show, which will conclude the cliffhanger "who killed Lucy Beale?" storyline.

The Sunday Mirror is reporting that his mother, Dot Branning, is set to end her son's life, with her handing herself in to police, saying: "I killed him. I killed my son."

Blackwood told the BBC that he had grown up with EastEnders "so to film on Albert Square is something I'll never get used to".

"To know my first ever scene will be a live one hopefully means the team believe in me and I won't let them down," he added.