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.
Early life Gaffney was born in Hammersmith, London. He attended St Mark's Catholic School, Hounslow, and later trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone, and the Corona Theatre School in Kew Bridge.""Ravenscourt Theatre School" , Ravenscourt.net; accessed 10 December 2006.
Career EastEnders 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"."Dean Gaffney to leave 'EastEnders'" , Digital Spy; accessed 25 September 2006. 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).""Gaffney returns to 'EastEnders'", Digital Spy; accessed 19 September 2008.
On 25 October 2009, it was announced Gaffney would briefly reprise his role as Jackson. 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. On 17 April 2017, it was announced he would return to the soap full-time. Gaffney was written out of the soap in 2019 amid concerns over his behaviour off-set.
Other roles 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.
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."Gaffney, Robson and Stapleton to guest on 'The Bill'" , DigitalSpy.co.uk; accessed 25 September 2006. 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."The Unexpected Guest", BBC.co.uk; accessed 21 June 2007. During Christmas 2011, he appeared in pantomime at the Thurrock Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex.
In 2015, Gaffney starred as Wishee Washee, in the pantomime Aladdin, staged at The Brindley in Runcorn.
In November 2022, Gaffney appeared in a charity football match in Chatham, Kent.
In 2023, he appeared in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa.
Personal life 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."Dean Gaffney dumped by fiancee?", Digitalspy.co.uk; accessed 18 March 2007. While appearing on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Gaffney admitted to David Gest that he had had an affair. The couple split in 2015.
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. 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." 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.
In 2022, Gaffney broke his collarbone after being hit by a Lamborghini driven by Wesley Fofana whilst on a night out in London. He is a fan of Brentford F.C.
Filmography + Television and film Year Title Role Notes1993 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 film2006 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 episode2013 Let's Dance for Comic Relief Himself Charity appearance Misfits Mick 2020 Celebs Go Dating Himself Main cast2023I'm a Celebrity... South AfricaHimself2025RecklessWilmot
Stage 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 2015 Aladdin Wishee Washee
References
External links
BBC EastEnders cast profile