Former EastEnders star Scott Maslen has swapped the hustle and bustle of Albert Square for peace on the riverbank – but now he’s about to take a magic carpet ride to the Far East, as Dan Wright found out.

Scott Maslen may have been one of the nation’s most recognisable soap characters for years but the former model enjoys the quieter side of life.

After six years in the rowdy world of EastEnders as the popular Jack Branning, Scott left Albert Square last year and has since fulfilled his other, more peaceful, passion – carp fishing.

The hobby is the West Ham fan’s love and he can be regularly found on Kent’s riverbanks. In fact he spent the best part of seven months in his waders since leaving the hit soap last summer.

But the 43-year-old is now gearing up for a return to the spotlight, as the star of Aladdin – this year’s Marlowe Theatre pantomime in Canterbury.

He may be leaving rod and reel in his London home but after making his panto debut in Bournemouth last year, Scott is eager to get back on stage in a county he feels at home in.

"You want to scare the kids and have the older ones laughing at your innuendo..." - Scott Maslen

“I did EastEnders for six years; I stepped away last year in August last year because I needed a break,” he said.

“I’ve had seven months fishing, being with the family and my wife is sick and tired with me now – she wants me back out there working!”

Scott will now do just that, after being encouraged to join Marlowe’s panto by fellow EastEnders actor Samantha Womack, who starred in last year’s Evolution Pantomimes show.

More than 90,000 people watched the 2013 panto – a record attendance for the theatre.

Scott added: “Sam was the person who spoke to Evolution about me, we’re good friends. When I got the call, it was a no-brainer really – she’d had such a good time and said it was a lovely city. With pantomime you have to embrace it. You have to have fun and push yourself.”

Scott played the same role of Abanazar last year and starred on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, impressing the judges before being knocked out in the 11th week.

So coupled with his TV experience – which included a six-year stint in The Bill before joining EastEnders – Scott is no stranger to the stage.

“It’s a great excuse to go out there and camp it up and have a lot of fun,” he said.

“It’s not naturalism by any stretch – we go out there, work it and do the best job we can.”

Appearing alongside children’s TV favourite Phil Gallagher, best known as Mister Maker, Scott thinks he’s got a good team around him.

He said: “There’s a great group and I feel I’m in a team of hardened pros. You’ve got to produce the goods and give the audience what they want – it’s as simple and as basic as it comes. My character is camp evil. He’s the baddy, you’ve got to hate him but this one is also as camp as Christmas.”

After the Marlowe’s success with Jack and the Beanstalk in 2013, Scott thinks this year’s show will be just as popular.

He added: “I think when you’ve had a good year, the next year benefits from it.

“People remember they’ve had a great experience so hopefully on the back of last year, we’ll have an even better time this year.

“You want to scare the kids and have the older ones laughing at your innuendo – I’m looking forward to it.”

MISTER MAKER

Children’s TV favourite Phil Gallagher, best known as Mister Maker from the hit arts and craft show on CBeebies, will join Scott Maslen on stage in Canterbury.

Phil, who was born and lives in Gillingham, will return for his second year in the Marlowe’s panto – his 10th panto on the bounce.

The former Canterbury Christchurch University student feels at home in the city and is looking forward to another Christmas spent on stage.

“It’s fantastic to be here,” he said. “Like last year’s panto, it is spectacular and there are about two or three show-stopping moments – some unbelievable things are going to happen.

"It is spectacular and there are about two or three show-stopping moments..." - Phil Gallagher

“It’s brilliant to have such young audiences coming to enjoy the show. It’s a privilege and it may be the first time some of the kids have ever seen a panto, or even been in a theatre.”

Phil, who has been playing Mister Maker for eight years, now sees his TV show screened in more than 100 countries.

He added: “Everyday it never ceases to amaze and surprise me. It’s a great source of pride for me – it was masterminded out of the Maidstone TV studios and I’m very pleased to say it’s still going strong.”

Phil and Scott will be joined by the returning Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett, as the dame Widow Twankey and PC Pongo.

Aladdin is at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Friday, November 28, to Sunday, January 11.

Tickets from £11, visit www.marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.