Michael Greco has revealed that he would love to make a return to EastEnders after commenting that the BBC soap opera is "having hard times" at the moment.
The actor, 51, played Beppe di Marco on the show between 1998 and 2002. His storylines over the four years included a rivalry with Grant Mitchell, played by Ross Kemp, now 57.
The poker player, who hasn't reprised his role since his departure two decades ago, spoke about the soap during an appearance on ITV 's Loose Women this afternoon.
He said that he can still remember his first day on set, with him mentioning Kemp, Patsy Palmer, now 49, Martine McCutcheon, now 45, and the late Barbara Windsor.
The actor told the panelists, including Ruth Langsford, 61, that he had been a "big EastEnders fan" since his childhood, with it an "absolute pleasure" to have been on the show.
He said: "I still love the show. I know it's having its hard times at the moment but it will come back. They've got a producer who's in charge who loves the show. He knows the show really well."
Greco suggested that the soap should focus on "the basis of the family values" and not "spread the stories too thin."
Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .
His comments come amid reports of low ratings, though it's been said that EastEnders is one of the most popular shows on BBC iPlayer - with fans no longer constrained to watching it live, as the platform offers viewing flexibility.
The show is understood to still have loyal viewers and was even voted Best Evening Soap at the Digital Spy Reader Awards last year. It also won in two other categories.
And asked by Langsford if he would ever reprise his role, Greco said: "Oh yeah. I'd love to go back because I loved playing the character and I think there's a lot more to him."
The actor was a "crying wreck" at another moment during his appearance on Loose Women, whilst discussing the birth of his first child, Gianluca Greco - who is 6 months old.
His son was born six weeks premature and was in the ICU for several weeks. He was born with Gastroschisis, which is when the bowel or the intestines are outside of the stomach.
Loose Women continues tomorrow on ITV from 12.30pm. EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
