EastEnders star fumes it’s a ‘tragedy’ BBC is ‘under-appreciated’ as he shares firm defence amid controversies
New EastEnders star Jamie Bamber has delivered an impassioned defence of the BBC, sharing his bewilderment that the corporation is frequently criticised.
The 53-year-old, best known for his starring role in Battlestar Galactica, recently joined the cast of the BBC soap as Ned, part of the newly introduced Hawkins family.
During a Q&A alongside his new castmates, Mr Bamber declared: “Nothing gives me more of a buzz than realising I’m working for the BBC.”
He went on to warn: “The BBC is under threat, as we all know.”
Jamie Bamber (second from the left) is joining EastEnders as part of Walford’s new family
|
BBC
The corporation is currently navigating its charter renewal process, which determines its governance arrangements, editorial independence and public duties.
Its TV licence fee, the primary source of funding, increased to £180 per year earlier in 2026.
“It’s a tragedy to me that we don’t appreciate it,” the actor added.
Mr Bamber, who has lived in various countries, said his experiences abroad gave him a unique vantage point on how the broadcaster is perceived internationally.
Jamie Bamber launched into a passionate defence of the BBC
|
GETTY
“Having lived all over the world, I’ve seen firsthand and I’ve felt firsthand the respect and the love that the rest of the globe have for the BBC,” he said.
He also revealed he was moved to tears by a televised tribute to the corporation.
“When the World Cup happened, I was sitting at home. I had no idea the halftime show in Britain was going to be a love letter to the BBC, and I just welled up,” he recalled.
He explained that his affection for the broadcaster traces back to EastEnders’ fictional pub, the Queen Vic.
The clan are joining the soap as the family of Nicola
|
BBC
Mr Bamber watched the soap’s debut episode as a 12-year-old in 1985. “I feel blessed to be working with these people at this particular moment in time on this set,” he said, describing the role as unlike anything he has previously undertaken.
Mr Bamber portrays Ned, husband to Gemma Hawkins, within the Hawkins clan, who are the estranged relatives of Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington).
He jokingly described the family as “refugees from Essex” who “wash up with nowhere to go.”
Marian McLoughlin takes on the role of Nicola’s mother, Rose, while Patricia Potter and Anna Constable play her sisters Gemma and Jodie, respectively. Felix Uff completes the family as Ned and Gemma’s son Ryder.
Jamie Bamber is best known for his role in Battlestar Galactica
|
GEETY
Mr Bamber hinted at forthcoming “tension” between Ned and his sister-in-law Nicola, and revealed that his character shares “a bit of history” with Alfie Moon, played by Shane Richie, which audiences will discover in the weeks ahead.
His fellow newcomers expressed similar enthusiasm about joining the long-running soap.
Patricia Potter said: “I am so delighted to be joining this iconic show as part of a new family. What a joy and a privilege to be working with such talented actors and wonderful people.”
Ms McLoughlin, now in her seventies, called the opportunity unexpected, saying: “I feel so lucky to be joining such a brilliant cast.”
Anna Constable spoke about the significance of her casting, stating: “Growing up watching EastEnders I never thought a disabled actress like me could ever land a role like this.”
Felix Uff described the soap as “a staple of British culture”.
Executive producer Ben Wadey said the Hawkins bring “decades of complicated history” to Walford, with fractures stemming from Nicola’s estrangement “far from healed.”
Comments are closed.