EastEnders actor Shane Richie has praised new soap boss Chris Clenshaw for changes he has brought to the soap, on and off screen.
The actor also revealed fans would see "the old Alfie Moon" when he returns to Walford very soon, after previous comebacks did not go down well.
Actor Shane promised it would be the earlier era type of Alfie, who burst on to screens in the early 2000s, as later years saw the character on the wrong side of the law, and hurting his family.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press, Shane talked about what led to his comeback, and praised Chris for how he has shaped the show since taking over as the executive producer.
Shane said there was much more of a "community" with everyone involved in the show, from the crew to the cast, and that that was down to Chris.
He said: "Turning up here, the cast and producers, the director, the writers, there is a sense of real community. The way it has changed now, it's down to this man here.
"He's grown up with this show, he knows its DNA, how people work. I've come back and I feel part of something so strong at the moment.
"There’s a real sense of camaraderie and it feels so positive right now."
On what led to his return, Shane admitted he wasn't sure at first but was soon won over.
He said: "We sat down and he said, 'Listen, I've got this idea of bringing Alfie back,' and I said really? Then he sold it to me said we want the old Alfie, because over the years there's been all very different Alfies, and my favourite Alfie is from 2002 to 2005, look it up. That’s the Alfie we have got back."
He went on: "So Chris was so instrumental, for telling me the long-term storyline with Alfie and it's the old Alfie.
"The guy who looked after Nana Moon, who wore his heart on his sleeve, who tries to make light of everything through his own innocence and naivety and still gets it wrong.
"The drama only works on a show like this if you have got the light and the shade. I'm happy to come in and bring the lightness if we can have Alfie getting up to his tricks and scams, and is he gonna get back with Kat? I can't tell you, keep watching.
"And if you get that right, then the drama is so much more dramatic."
On the camaraderie, he added: "[It] becomes a team effort, it's collaborative. When we get the light and the shade right, which he's done, I'm happy to come and play the joker and all that because that means the drama is so much greater."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
