Paul (Jonny Labey)

[Perdita]

EastEnders will introduce another new character next month as Les and Pam Coker's grandson Paul arrives in Walford.

As Les and Pam plan to attend a centenary party for their funeral business, Paul's absence is playing on their mind more than ever.

However, after Les subsequently turns to Claudette Hubbard for support, he doesn't realise that Paul (Jonny Labey) has already arrived in Albert Square and has spotted them together.

It doesn't take long for Paul to make an impression on Lola (Danielle Harold) after accidentally knocking her over in the street, prompting Ben Mitchell to come to her defence.

As Paul plays down the incident and introduces himself to the group, Lola starts to warm to him and invites him for a coffee at Blades. However, with the recent news that Paul will be a new love interest for Ben (Harry Reid), does he already have his eyes on someone else?

Paul knocks Lola over
© BBC
Paul knocks Lola over

Ben jumps to Lola's defence
© BBC
Ben jumps to Lola's defence

Ben threatens Paul
© BBC
Ben threatens Paul

Paul defends himself
© BBC
Paul defends himself

EastEnders airs these scenes on Monday, June 1 at 8pm on BBC One.

[Perdita]

New EastEnders regular Paul Coker arrives in Walford with a bang next week, surprising his grandparents Les and Pam by turning up on Albert Square unexpectedly.

Paul's early scenes on the Square see him catch the eye of Ben Mitchell, as well as uncovering a family secret when he realises that something is going on between Les and Claudette Hubbard.

Here, Jonny Labey - who plays Paul - reveals what EastEnders fans can expect from his character.

How's it going so far?
"It's good! I've been filming for two months now. It's crazy - it's gone so quickly it's unbelievable. I started filming on the 17th of March, so it's all gone very quick."

How would you describe Paul?
"He's a bit of a troublemaker. He's come back from his travels as he's been in Turkey, so in the first episodes I'm ridiculously tanned! Paul also stirs up a few touchy subjects. He causes a bit of mischief.

"Paul is loveable and he loves his nan - they have a beautiful relationship. It's great to work with Lin Blakley and Roger Sloman as they're like my surrogate grandparents. They're beautiful and lovely people to work with. On screen, Paul is a bit of nana's boy and he will have a good cry to his nan, but to everyone else he puts on this 21st century persona. Every 20-year-old does these days!

"Now that Paul is back from his travels, he's all about partying, having a drink and flirting quite a bit. I think he's probably had quite a good time in Turkey, so he's confident coming back and ready to meet new people. He's not been in Walford, so this is his first time meeting people. Anyone he sees or takes a fancy to, they catch his eye."

Pam is delighted to see her Paul
© BBC
Pam is delighted to see her Paul

How would Paul describe his sexuality?
"Paul likes boys. He's openly gay. He's had this amazing relationship with Pam from such a young age that he never really had to come out. It's not like he's camp or anything, he's just that way inclined. He comes back and he takes a fancy to Ben."

Is Ben his type?
"I thought that Paul fancies the harder, bigger, muscly tattooed guys, but Ben's got this Mitchell persona with the stuff he does, the things he gets up to and the arguments he gets involved in. That all excites Paul. He's drawn to that, as well as the tease of trying to get Ben to come out because obviously he's still involved with Abi. He enjoys that, it's playful."

Does Paul know that Ben is hiding his sexuality?
"Yeah, but I'm not sure how long or short that's going to be. It's funny, actually - when I got the scripts and read the scenes, I thought, 'Oh he's a happy-go-lucky, bit of mischief type of character'. Then as soon as I started filming some of the scenes, I'd finish the scene and people would go, 'I'm not sure about you, you're trouble!' I was like, 'Oh really?'

"It's interesting getting that reaction from other people of what Paul's about. I think Ben really excites him."

Ben Mitchell and Paul Coker kiss
© BBC
Ben and Paul

This story might mean Paul clashes with Phil Mitchell at some point!
"That script will be interesting when it comes. The best thing for me is that the families which Paul is involved in are so one scale or the other. He's got the Cokers, who are this quietly gossiping, quite sneaky pair, but everyone loves them. I think the audience quite love them too - Pam has a flower stall and everyone loves her. There's a mystery about them, but as a whole, and towards Pam moreso I suppose, there's a real love. The audience have taken to her.

"On the other hand, you have the Mitchells who I've got involved in and there are completely different connotations with them."

What can you tell us about Paul's involvement in the story with Les and Claudette?
"Paul susses it. He has such a love for Pam, so he picks up on it quickly. I think in Paul's head he favours his nan and wants to protect her. In any situation, no matter what it is, ultimately he wants to protect her."

Is Paul as close to Les?
"It's odd because of the whole Coker and Son business, which is not something that Paul has ever been interested in. He's grown up with the funeral directors and he's alright to be around coffins and dead people. That doesn't faze him, but it's never been a business he's been willing to follow up on.

"He had a lovely relationship with Les but sectioned himself from him - 'You do your thing and I'll do mine, we'll both appreciate whatever the other one gets up to'. Les has that sort of mysteriousness about him, whether he agrees with what Paul does or not."

Paul see Les with Claudette
© BBC
Paul see Les with Claudette

Les and Claudette are watched by Paul.
© BBC
Les and Claudette are watched by Paul

Is Paul not involved with the business then?
"When he comes back to the Square, it's the immediate thing to do, but I don't know whether the storyline carries on. There are various things that Paul gets involved in, but he's trying to find his feet on the Square as he's just arrived.

"One of Paul's assets is that he takes up things, thinking of the future potential of them, and then gives up three quarters of the way through! Because of that, he will pick up on different things as and when it interests him. He gets involved with Blades thinking he's going to be this next generation hairdresser. It's a job working the floor and he wouldn't have had any experience in it, he just sees it as a job and wants to cut hair to see where it gets him."

Who will Paul become friends with?
"He bumps into Lola originally. They take well to each other, but because of Blades and being in the same position, there becomes a bit of competition. Ultimately they like having a gossip together and they both have the same characteristics. They both like reading magazines and having a chat. As a friend to confide in, Lola will be his go-to."

Does Paul have much to do with Jay?
"Not really. I've only had scenes with Ben at the moment. I've not really interacted with the other Mitchells because Ben is trying to fight between what he loves - is it men, or is it women? He's not willingly open to introduce Paul to any of his other family."

So is there lots of kissing in dark alleys with Ben?
"Yes, it's all very under wraps!"


EastEnders airs Paul's first episode on Monday, June 1 at 8pm on BBC One.

[tammyy2j]

Jonny Labey has said that there could be some unexpected storylines for Paul Coker as we learn more about his character.

Les and Pam's grandson Paul arrived in Walford earlier this month and immediately caught the eye of Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid).

Paul and Ben's secret fling will heat up over the summer, but Labey has promised that there is lots more to come from Paul.

Labey said: "Paul has a lot of layers that are going to be discovered. There are going to be a lot of other storylines and unexpected ones as well.

"The first week I did a crying scene, an argument scene, a kissing scene and a topless scene - it was like an entire contract in one week."

Viewers know that Ben is currently in a relationship with Abi Branning, despite having feelings for Paul. However, Paul will be patient and supportive of Ben's decision to keep his sexuality a secret at the moment.


Speaking to Digital Spy, Labey said: "Paul is attracted to the fact that Ben is a bit of a geezer but it is a very personal area - the whole 'coming out' situation.

"He knows Ben has a girlfriend and he understands that it is difficult for him as they have spoken about it before. He respects that it isn't straightforward and Paul is going to be there for him.

"But there is the question of when will this become a problem for them. It's a very strong area to explore and it is very sensitive."


Speaking about the public's response to Paul and Ben's storyline, Labey added: "I've had a few people come up and thank me for the work I've done.

"I am not saying I am representing the gay community but it has been a really positive response and it's been amazing.

"I think from the public's response to the characters, is that they are willing for Ben to take this route with Paul which is what was intended."

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Jonny Labey has revealed that viewers have already been given hints about what Les Coker is hiding.

Labey's character Paul recently confronted his grandfather Les about having an affair with Claudette Hubbard, but show boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins recently hinted that the storyline may not be as it seems.

When asked whether Les and Claudette are having an affair, Labey said: "The EastEnders team are so brilliant at what they do. You have actually been fed the information for months without realising it. It's brilliant.

"I am excited about what the future holds. The Cokers are still quite a new family in Albert Square, but from the turn of events I know is happening and the various direction these stories could take, I think they are going to be a lot more prominent in the coming months."

Les finishes things with Claudette
© BBC
Les finishes things with Claudette

Labey recently revealed that there would be some unexpected plots coming up for Paul over the summer.

In addition to his involvement with Les and Claudette's secret, there will also be romance on the cards for Paul as his secret fling with Ben Mitchell steps up a gear over the next few weeks.

[tammyy2j]

I have seen some suggest that Les likes to wear women's clothes and dress as a lady

[maidmarian]

I have seen some suggest that Les likes to wear women's clothes and dress as a lady

If thats correct- hope he doesnt forget the
wig.!

[maidmarian]

Dupl

[Dazzle]

I have seen some suggest that Les likes to wear women's clothes and dress as a lady

I've read that speculation too but I don't think it fits with what we've seen of the pair so far.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Jonny Labey is leaving the show as part of a dramatic storyline, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

The actor has been written out from his role as Paul Coker after a one-year stint in the part, but fans can expect him to go out with a bang.

Digital Spy understands that the decision to write out Paul was made a while ago now - and Labey already has his next acting project lined up.

An EastEnders spokesperson told us: "We can confirm Jonny will be leaving the show later this year. We wish him all the best for the future."

A show insider also told Digital Spy: "Jonny is leaving in a couple of months as part of an explosive storyline. Bosses are keeping tight lipped about what's in store but there's plenty of drama in store for Paul before he leaves."


Labey has already landed the lead part in upcoming play Verge of Strife, which will be staged at the Assembly George Square Studios during the Edinburgh Festival 2016 this August.

He'll be taking on the role of World War One poet Rupert Brooke, who was known for his patriotic sonnets from the early days of the war.

Labey joined the cast of EastEnders in April 2015 and made his first appearance in June.

As well as family dramas involving his grandparents Les and Pam at home, Paul's main storylines have revolved around his secret relationship with Ben Mitchell.

Viewers will see Paul and Ben go public with their romance at the Queen Vic next week - but it seems their happiness won't last for long.

[Dazzle]

So Paul has just been used to keep Ben warm until Johnny Carter returned. There was obviously never any intention of developing him as a character, which I think is a crying shame because Jonny Labey is a good actor (probably better than the new Johnny Carter, though only time will tell that). These soap producers make some strange and shortsighted decisions...