Jack Branning

Lock up your daughters, wives, sisters, cousins and nieces… this man has no morals when it comes to who he charms into bed.

• Health issues: Jack still has fragments of bullet left in his brain after he was shot by his nephew's ex-girlfriend
• Past career: Jack was invalided out of the force with a full pension
• Hobbies: Fishing
• Football: Supports West Ham
• Friends: Jack has known Michael Moon since school

Jack's an ex-copper and 'jack-the-lad' who exudes confidence, charm and natural authority. Jack always takes the logical, legal route at first, but if that doesn't get results he has no qualms about bending the rules. He uses his connections in the force when he needs to, and officers always deliver him favours. Above all, he likes to win and be top dog.

Although he found stability in his marriage to Ronnie, and as a father to their baby 'James', his life fell apart when he discovered that Ronnie swapped their baby with Kat's baby, Tommy, following the cot death of James. The ensuing sense of betrayal and grief left him in a dark place, which he locks up inside. However, it seemed that Jack found happiness with new love, Sharon and her son Dennis Junior... but Sharon's ex Phil was always lurking around the corner. Jack jealousy of Phil came to a head when he knocked him unconcious after a heated argument... and while Phil decided not to press charges, he knews that he had got inside Jack's head. A secret kiss with Sharon, and the knowledge that Jack had been back in touch with Ronnie gave Phil enough ammunition to call a halt to the wedding, but on a rare moment of compassion, he decided to let Sharon have another shot of happiness with Jack... pity Jack didnt feel the same way! Jack realised that the love he felt for Sharon could never compare to what he shared with Ronnie, and decided not to go ahead with their wedding.

Scott Maslen

• Scott Maslen was previously best known for his role as DS Phil Hunter in The Bill He's also appeared in Heartbeat, Peak Practice and in Guy Richie's series Lock, Stock...
• When he's got the time, Scott enjoys a spot of fishing, particularly for carp.
• His favourite types of music are jazz and funk, and he's recently been getting down to tunes by the Sound Stylistics.
• His favourite EastEnders character of all time is Dot.
• In May 2009, he was awarded Sexiest Male at the British Soap Awards, beating fellow EastEnders star Robert Kazinsky to the trophy.