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Dean Gaffney
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Dean Martin Gaffney (born 14 February 1978) is an English actor, best known for his role as Robbie Jackson on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1993 to 2004 and 2017 to 2019; he also made guest appearances in 2004, 2010 and 2015. In 2006, he competed in the sixth series of ITV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and finished in fifth place.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Gaffney was born in Hammersmith, London. He attended St Mark's Catholic School, Hounslow,[1] and later trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone,[2] and the Corona Theatre School in Kew Bridge.[3]
Career
[edit]EastEnders
[edit]Gaffney's first appearance as Robbie Jackson in EastEnders aired in December 1993, and he remained in the role for 11 years. In 2003, executive producer Louise Berridge made the decision to axe Gaffney along with the actress Bindya Solanki, who played his on-screen girlfriend Nita Mistry. In a press report, Berridge commented, "We do feel that the characters have reached the end of their natural course in the show, and they will both be leaving in spring 2003".[4] Gaffney made a further appearance in the soap, returning for a brief visit in 2004 for the wedding of his on-screen half-sister Sonia Jackson (portrayed by Natalie Cassidy).[5]
On 25 October 2009, it was announced Gaffney would briefly reprise his role as Jackson.[6] In June 2015, it was announced Gaffney would once again briefly reprise his role as part of Lindsey Coulson's (who played his mother on the show) departure from the show.[7] On 17 April 2017, it was announced he would return to the soap full-time.[8] Gaffney was written out of the soap in 2019 amid concerns over his behaviour off-set.[9]
Other roles
[edit]In 1991, Gaffney played the Boy (alternating with another actor) in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in the West End, alongside Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson.[10]
In November 2006, Gaffney appeared as a guest star on the long-running ITV serial drama The Bill. Gaffney played Gavin Josef, a cocky wide-boy who was connected to an assault investigation.[11] In 2007, Gaffney toured with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, performing The Unexpected Guest. He played Jan, a 19-year-old murder suspect with learning difficulties.[12] During Christmas 2011, he appeared in pantomime at the Thurrock Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex.[13]
In 2015, Gaffney starred as Wishee Washee, in the pantomime Aladdin, staged at The Brindley in Runcorn.[14]
In November 2022, Gaffney appeared in a charity football match in Chatham, Kent.[15]
In 2023, he appeared in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Gaffney lives in Hertford, Hertfordshire. He and Sarah Burge are the parents of twin daughters, Charlotte and Chloe. Gaffney and Burge were in a relationship for 22 years and were engaged.[17] While appearing on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Gaffney admitted to David Gest that he had had an affair.[18] The couple split in 2015.[19]
In January 2013, Gaffney suffered serious head injuries when a car he was travelling in collided with the central reservation on the A38 in Derby.[20] Gaffney admitted he had not been wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident, and said "It could have been a lot worse. One inch down and I would have been blind. One inch up and I would have been brain damaged."[21][22] In 2019, Gaffney was involved in two further car crashes, the first, on the M25 in Essex, the second, four months later, outside Elstree Studios.[23][24]
In 2022, Gaffney broke his collarbone after being hit by a Lamborghini driven by Wesley Fofana whilst on a night out in London.[25] He is a fan of Brentford F.C.[1]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Bill | Paul Moore | 1 episode |
| Inside Victor Lewis-Smith | Stage Kid | 1 episode | |
| 1993 | Oasis | Mickey Drake | |
| 1993–2004, 2010, 2015, 2017–2019 |
EastEnders | Robbie Jackson | 978 episodes |
| 2003 | The Club | Himself | |
| Rain in Hell | Short film | ||
| 2006 | The Bill | Gavin Josef | Guest appearance |
| I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! | Himself | Contestant | |
| 2007 | Extras | ||
| 2009 | M.I. High | Luke Withers | 1 episode: "The Mole" |
| 2012 | Crime Stories | Mark Hall | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Let's Dance for Comic Relief | Himself | Charity appearance |
| Misfits | Mick | ||
| 2020 | Celebs Go Dating | Himself | Main cast[26] |
| 2023 | I'm a Celebrity... South Africa | Himself |
Stage
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Waiting for Godot | The Boy |
| 2007 | The Unexpected Guest | Jan |
| 2010 | Calendar Girls | |
| 2013 | A Murder is Announced | Patrick Simmons |
| Murder in Play | Simon Brett | |
| 2014 | Peter Pan | Captain Hook[27] |
| 2015 | Aladdin | Wishee Washee |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Why I love...Brentford". BBC Sport. 27 November 2001. Retrieved 25 September 2006.
- ^ "Sylvia Young Theatre School - Alumni". sylviayoungtheatreschool.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ ""Ravenscourt Theatre School" Archived 4 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Ravenscourt.net; accessed 10 December 2006.
- ^ "Dean Gaffney to leave 'EastEnders'" Archived 9 March 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Digital Spy; accessed 25 September 2006.
- ^ ""Gaffney returns to 'EastEnders'", Digital Spy; accessed 19 September 2008.
- ^ Green, Kris (25 October 2009). "The Jacksons return to 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ "EastEnders' Robbie Jackson returning to Square". BBC. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ McCreesh, Louise (17 April 2017). "Dean Gaffney is heading back to EastEnders to reprise his role as Robbie Jackson". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Milan, Aidan (13 October 2019). "Why has Dean Gaffney been axed from EastEnders?". Metro. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Dean Gaffney's still a ladies' man". 24 June 2010.
- ^ "Gaffney, Robson and Stapleton to guest on 'The Bill'" Archived 29 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine, DigitalSpy.co.uk; accessed 25 September 2006.
- ^ "The Unexpected Guest", BBC.co.uk; accessed 21 June 2007.
- ^ "Panto closes as a record breaker (From Thurrock Gazette)". Thurrock Gazette. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- ^ Jones, Catherine (20 July 2015). "EastEnder Dean Gaffney to star in panto in Runcorn". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Langridge, Alex (31 October 2022). "TOWIE's James Argent and Dan Osborne, EastEnders' Dean Gaffney and former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara to play in celebrity football match in Chatham for Leilani Aisthorpe". Kent Online. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "I'm A Celebrity Unveils Line-Up For Upcoming All Stars Series In South Africa". HuffPost UK. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ "Dean Gaffney dumped by fiancee?", Digitalspy.co.uk; accessed 18 March 2007.
- ^ "'I'm A Celebrity's Dean Gaffney Admits To Affairs – Entertainment News, Reviews, Competitions". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ^ "Dean Gaffney and girlfriend of 22 years Sarah Burge split". Hello!. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Dean Gaffney in Derby hospital after car crash". BBC Online. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ^ Battersby, Matilda. "Dean Gaffney on his car crash: I wasn't wearing my seatbelt". The Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
- ^ "Dean Gaffney injured in car accident". The Guardian. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Lindsay, Duncan (24 June 2019). "EastEnders star Dean Gaffney involved in second car crash in four months". Metro. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "EastEnders star Dean Gaffney has second car crash in FOUR months after 'head-on prang with teen'". Heart. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Pankhurst, Isobel (14 January 2024). "EastEnders star Dean Gaffney 'catapulted' into air after being hit by car". Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Edwards, Chris (20 November 2019). "Celebs Go Dating 2020 cast announced with Amy Hart and Amy Childs". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ Evans, Bethan (29 September 2014). "Playhouse panto star Dean ready for Weston night out". Weston, Worle and Somerset Mercury. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
External links
[edit]Dean Gaffney
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early years
Childhood and family background
Dean Gaffney was born Dean Martin Gaffney on February 14, 1978, in Hammersmith, London, England.[12] He grew up in the Hammersmith area of London with his older brother, Gary.[13] Gaffney's mother, Marian, played a central role in his family life until her death in 2023 from a sudden heart attack.[14]Education and early training
Gaffney received his secondary education at St Mark's Catholic School in Hounslow, a local institution.[15] In his early teens, around the age of 12, Gaffney transitioned to specialized acting training by enrolling at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone, London, in the early 1990s, after being offered a half-scholarship.[16] He later described the environment as intensely immersive, likening it to the film Fame, with students rehearsing songs and dances throughout the day under the strict yet supportive guidance of founder Sylvia Young, who demanded full commitment from her pupils.[16] Gaffney also trained at the Corona Theatre School in Kew, further honing his skills in stage performance and audition techniques.[12] During this formative period, Gaffney began participating in initial auditions and secured his debut professional role at age 13, portraying the Boy (alternating with another actor) in a 1991 West End production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot alongside Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson.[17]Career
EastEnders role
Dean Gaffney first portrayed Robbie Jackson in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, debuting on 14 December 1993 as a 15-year-old member of the Jackson family arriving in Albert Square.[18] The character was introduced as a cheeky teenager known for his troublesome antics and comedic mishaps, often providing light relief amid the show's dramatic narratives.[19] During his initial tenure from 1993 to 2003, Gaffney appeared in over 900 episodes, establishing Robbie as a hapless everyman figure central to the Jackson family dynamics.[20] Key storylines included Robbie's unrequited crush on Sarah Hills, which led to a confrontation with her father Ted who wrongly accused him of assault, and a brief engagement to Kerry Skinner that ended after he discovered her infidelity.[21] Robbie's comedic elements shone through in his various short-lived ventures, such as working as a road sweeper and attempting odd jobs around Walford, while family crises like the kidnapping of his younger brother Billie highlighted his protective sibling role.[22] Gaffney's departure in early 2003 was framed as the culmination of Robbie's character arc, with the roadsweeper leaving Walford for India alongside his then-girlfriend Nita Mistry to start a new life.[23] He made brief guest returns in 2004 and 2010 for family weddings, including those involving relatives like Bianca Jackson, reinforcing Robbie's ties to the Square despite his absences.[22] In 2015, Gaffney reprised the role for a six-episode stint tied to Lindsey Coulson's exit storyline as Carol Jackson, where Robbie's return stirred family tensions and showcased his enduring comedic charm.[24] This period also introduced a new pet dog, Wellard Two, echoing Robbie's original association with the beloved canine companion from his early years.[25] Gaffney returned full-time in June 2017, with Robbie relocating to Walford to care for his son Sami following an accident and taking up a role as market inspector, which led to conflicts with local traders and rekindled interactions with returning characters like Bianca Jackson.[26] The 2017–2019 run, spanning over 200 episodes, emphasized Robbie's growth into a more mature family man while retaining his bungled romantic pursuits, such as a short-lived relationship with Donna Yates.[27] Robbie's van-based handyman business attempts during this era often resulted in humorous failures, underscoring his perpetual bad luck in entrepreneurial endeavors. Gaffney exited again in September 2019, with Robbie departing to support his family elsewhere, though the role propelled his fame as EastEnders' long-serving comic relief character without notable awards nominations during his tenure.[4]Other television and media appearances
His early television credits include the 1993 CITV drama series Oasis as Mickey Drake.[28] Following his breakthrough role in EastEnders, Gaffney expanded his television presence through guest spots in established British series, often portraying working-class characters that echoed his soap persona. In 2006, he appeared in the long-running police procedural The Bill as Gavin Josef, a cocky wide boy involved in an assault investigation, marking one of his notable post-soap scripted roles.[29] He had earlier guest-starred in the same series twice during the 1990s: as Paul Moore in the 1993 episode "Real Villains," where his character was linked to a fire-related crime, and as Terry Jakes in the 1992 episode "Loyalties," depicting a figure in a crack-house raid storyline.[30][31] These appearances helped sustain his visibility in dramatic television while he balanced commitments to EastEnders.[32] Gaffney also ventured into comedy with a cameo in the 2005 BBC series Extras, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, where he played a fictionalized version of himself encountering the lead character in a humorous backstage scenario. In 2009, he took on the role of Luke Withers, a recurring suspect in a school espionage plot, in the children's spy drama M.I. High on CBBC, showcasing his versatility in lighter, youth-oriented programming. These scripted outings demonstrated Gaffney's ability to transition from soap intensity to more varied formats, building on his established fanbase. Gaffney's media profile surged through reality television, beginning with his victory in the 2003 ITV competition The Club, where he outlasted celebrities like Samantha Fox and Richard Blackwood in challenges testing fame-seeking antics. He gained widespread recognition in 2006 by participating in the sixth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! on ITV, finishing fifth overall after memorable Bushtucker Trials, including his panicked reaction in "The Temple of Doom," which became a viewer highlight.[33] This exposure capitalized on his EastEnders popularity, leading to further reality ventures. In 2020, he joined E4's Celebs Go Dating for its eighth series, navigating romantic dates and agency feedback as one of the "toughest clients," which offered insights into his post-soap personal life.[34] In 2023, Gaffney returned to the I'm a Celebrity format for the spin-off series I'm a Celebrity... South Africa on ITV, reuniting with 2006 co-stars like Myleene Klass in a "legend" edition set in South Africa; he participated in grueling trials, such as a vomiting-inducing drinking challenge alongside Joe Swash, reinforcing his status as a reality TV staple without entering the main jungle series that year.[35] Additional media appearances included panel show spots, such as on Celebrity Juice in the late 2000s and 2010s, where his quick-witted banter entertained audiences, and guest segments on This Morning discussing his career transitions.[36] These endeavors highlighted Gaffney's pivot toward entertainment formats that leveraged his charismatic, relatable public image.Film and stage work
Dean Gaffney began his stage career at the age of 14, debuting in the West End production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot at the Queen's Theatre in 1991, where he portrayed the Boy opposite Rik Mayall as Vladimir and Adrian Edmondson as Estragon.[3] In 2007, Gaffney toured with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company in a revival of The Unexpected Guest, taking on the role of Jan Warwick, the victim's brother with learning difficulties, in a production that emphasized suspense and family dynamics.[37] His performance drew mixed reviews, with some critics noting its comedic elements amid the thriller's tension.[38] Gaffney continued his theatre work in 2012 with the stage adaptation of Calendar Girls at the Noël Coward Theatre, playing the photographer who captures the iconic charity calendar images; he described the rehearsals as challenging due to the ensemble nature and emotional depth required, contrasting with his television experience.[39][40] This role highlighted his versatility in comedic and heartfelt ensemble pieces. He embraced pantomime traditions in subsequent years, starring as Wishee Washee in Aladdin at the Thameside Theatre in Grays during the 2011-2012 season, where his energetic portrayal engaged family audiences.[41] In 2015, he reprised a similar role as Wishee Washee in Aladdin at The Brindley in Runcorn, a production that became the venue's most successful pantomime to date, attracting nearly 15,500 attendees and showcasing his appeal in lighthearted, interactive theatre.[42] In 2013, Gaffney appeared in Murder in Play at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, marking his first theatre appearance in the Midlands after an extended break and demonstrating his resilience in live performance settings.[43] Stage work has allowed Gaffney to explore immediate audience feedback and physical demands absent in television, often requiring him to adapt quickly to live cues and improvisation. In 2016, he appeared in the TV movie Mike Bassett: Interim Manager.[44] In 2025, Gaffney appeared in the action thriller Reckless as Willmott, his first feature film role, marking a return to scripted acting after a six-year hiatus from EastEnders; he co-stars alongside Vinnie Jones in a story of high-stakes adventure.[8][45] This project represents a shift toward cinematic roles, building on his theatre foundation with more intense, stunt-driven sequences.Personal life
Family and children
Dean Gaffney began a long-term relationship with Sarah Burge when they were both 15 years old, and the couple welcomed twin daughters, Charlotte and Chloe, in 1996.[46][47] The twins were born when Gaffney was approximately 18 years old, marking the start of his role as a father.[48] Gaffney and Burge separated in 2015 after 22 years together, but they have maintained an amicable co-parenting arrangement for their daughters.[46][49] Charlotte and Chloe turned 24 in 2020, and daughter Chloe has since become a mother, making Gaffney a grandfather.[48] His first grandchild, granddaughter Mimi, was born in July 2021 to Chloe, followed by a second grandchild, Penelope, born to Chloe in January 2023.[50][51][52] Gaffney frequently shares public tributes to his daughters on social media, including birthday posts and videos of family outings, such as a 2023 party in Ibiza where the twins celebrated their 27th birthday alongside him.[53][54] He resides in Hertford, Hertfordshire, where he continues to prioritize family life and involvement with his grandchildren.[10][55] Gaffney has no other confirmed children.[47]Relationships and health incidents
Dean Gaffney was in a long-term relationship with his childhood sweetheart Sarah Burge from around 1993 until their split in 2015 after 22 years together.[46][56] Following the breakup, Gaffney had several brief relationships, including an affair with hairdresser Sasha Levy in 2007 that strained his partnership with Burge, and a romance with model Rebekah Rose-Ward starting in 2016.[57][58] In subsequent years, he was linked to various girlfriends, such as an unnamed partner photographed with him in 2016, and has openly discussed his use of dating apps including Hinge, Bumble, Raya, and Tinder to find companionship.[59][60][61] In 2025, Gaffney was reported to be dating Kate Black, a 31-year-old Harvard graduate in international relations, after being introduced through mutual friends in April; sources described her as not aligning with his typical romantic preferences. However, by November 2025, he was spotted actively using the dating app Hinge.[62][2][63] In January 2013, Gaffney sustained serious head injuries in a car crash in Derbyshire when his vehicle collided with a central reservation; he underwent reconstructive surgery on his skull and later revealed he had not been wearing a seatbelt, crediting his survival to luck while fearing potential brain damage or blindness.[64][65][66] He recovered sufficiently to resume work later that year.[67] Gaffney faced further personal hardship with the death of his mother, Marian Gaffney, in August 2023 at age 69, an event he described on social media as leaving him "simply broken" and causing profound emotional pain.[68][69]Professional works
Television credits
Gaffney's television career includes a range of roles in British drama series, soap operas, and reality television, with his appearances spanning over three decades. The following is a chronological list of his notable television credits:| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Oasis (BBC Two) | Mickey Drake | Debut role in TV series.[1] |
| 1993–2003, 2015, 2017–2019, 2025 (guest) | EastEnders (BBC One) | Robbie Jackson | Appeared in nearly 1,000 episodes across multiple stints.[1] |
| 2005 | Extras (BBC Two) | Dean Gaffney | Cameo appearance in 1 episode.[1] |
| 2006 | The Bill (ITV) | Gavin Josef | Guest appearance in 1 episode.[1] |
| 2006 | I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (ITV) | Himself | Contestant, finished in 5th place.[1] |
| 2009 | M.I. High (CBBC) | Luke Withers | Guest appearance in 1 episode.[1] |
| 2012 | Crime Stories (BBC One) | Mark Hall | Guest appearance in 1 episode.[1] |
| 2023 | I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! All Stars (ITV) | Himself | Contestant, finished in 7th place.[6] |
| 2024 | The Great British Bake Off Christmas Special (Channel 4) | Himself | Guest appearance with soap stars.[7] |
| 2025 | The Great British Bake Off New Year Special (Channel 4) | Himself | Guest appearance.[7] |