EastEnders heartthrob to make UK telly comeback in Death in Paradise after 20 years in Hollywood

NINETIES heartthrob Sean Maguire is making his UK telly comeback this weekend on Death In Paradise.

His return for the BBC One crime drama comes after two decades living and working in Hollywood.

But viewers of Grange Hill and EastEnders will remember him fondly, as will die-hard fans of his music — despite the fact he insists he was a rubbish pop star.

Sean told me he felt a fraud during his chart career in the Nineties, no more so than when he appeared on Top Of The Pops.

He explains: “I kept saying, ‘I can’t sing, can’t write, can’t play’, and that this should be going to someone with talent. Then I did Top Of The Pops and I was following Tina Turner singing Golden Eye. I felt like I was trying to rob a bank on live television, with the entire country watching.’”

Sean, who released two albums, moved into music after starring in EastEnders as wannabe footballer Aiden Brosnan.

But he said his pop career made him a target.

He says: “I was in EastEnders at its height and it tended to be ‘girls like you, boys don’t’ — and when they’re out with their girlfriends they want to give me a smack, I was almost like a badge of honour.”

After quitting music, he moved to Hollywood and carved out a successful career starring in sitcoms, sci-fi series and blockbuster movies including 2008’s Meet The Spartans, a parody of action flick 300.

He also set up an online acting school during the pandemic called Players Conservator.

But Sean couldn’t resist returning to our screens for the 100th episode of Death In Paradise this Sunday, 13 years after he appeared in the first ever episode.

He adds: “At the time of the first one I’d just fallen in love with an amazing woman.

“When I was asked back for the 100th episode, the girl who I had fallen in love with was now my wife.

“I didn’t need a lot of arm-twisting because it’s the Caribbean. Who doesn’t want to go to the Caribbean?”

I can think of worse places to work.

Danny's a stand up guy

DANNY DYER may have signed up for gangland movie Marching Powder, but his next TV role is more cupcake than cocaine.

The hardman actor is set to show his soft side this spring on Bake Off’s Stand Up To Cancer celeb special.

He will be joined by several other famous names for the mini- series, which aims to raise money to fight the disease.

I revealed in August that C4 bosses were thrilled to finally tie down Danny.

He previously vowed to stay away from Bake Off after an embarrassing incident with former host Mary Berry at the TV Choice Awards in 2014.

An insider told me: “Danny once said he could never go on the show as he got drunk at a bash, and when he met Mary Berry he licked her ear.”

Hopefully Paul Hollywood will remind Danny of the cringey moment during filming. If anyone is brave enough, it’s Paul.

NEW kids’ animated series Yukee will featutre a host of music stars.

Indie group Wet Leg, Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, singer Tom Odell and soul legend PP Arnold will provide voices and music for the series, which airs weekdays on CBeebies from Monday.

Ry: Make footie prettier

IF you’ve written off Rylan Clark as a fluffy showbiz presenter, think again.

He is fronting new documentary Rylan: Homophobia, Football And Me, which looks at prejudice in the game.

In the show for discovery+ and TNT, out on February 13, West Ham fan Rylan interviews footie names including ex-Man United ace Rio Ferdinand, Arsenal ladies player Jen Beattie and former Germany star Thomas Hitzls-perger.

Rylan said: “Growing up loving football, I assumed I’d be able to go to games. But as a gay man, I sometimes felt uncomfortable around spectators.

“I talk to fans, players, past and present, about how the beautiful game could be even prettier for everyone to enjoy.”

MICHELLE KEEGAN’s record-breaking run in Netflix’s Fool Me Once has seen her honoured with the prestigious Variety Club Silver Heart Award for Outstanding Achievement in Global Television and Streaming.

Accepting the award on Wednesday, she said it was a “special moment”.