Karl Howman’s EastEnders character is Mick Carter and Dean Wicks’ father

Karl Howman’s EastEnders character has been revealed as the biological father of Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) and Mick Carter (Danny Dyer).

In scenes which aired last night (20 November) on BBC One, Dean and Mick towed Aunt Babe’s rundown caravan back to Walford with them believing Shirley (Linda Henry) to be its disgruntled occupant.

However, it soon transpired that they had ferried an”old friend” of Shirley’s, Buster Briggs (Howman), back to Walford with them instead.

Shirley joined them at the Vic where Buster was becoming acquainted with her family, with Dean showing a particular interest in his connection to Shirley.

After concluding that Buster is his father, Dean confronted Shirley at the end of the episode with Shirley confirming his suspicions in scenes which aired tonight (21 November).

However, the Walford serial aired another twist in the final moments of tonight’s episode when Buster’s real name was revealed to be Andrew and he made a realisation of his own – that Mick is also their son. As he was led away in handcuffs over a broken prison curfew, Buster took Shirley by surprise when he quietly acknowledged his connection to Mick that she hadn’t disclosed.

“You silly tart, you should have told me. He’s mine and all isn’t he?” – Buster

Show chiefs announced Howman as a new signing in September stating that his unnamed character would “open old wounds and reignite old passions” for one of Albert Square’s residents. His character’s identity was kept a closely-guarded secret ahead of his debut this week. Mick remains in the dark over his true parentage.

EastEnders airs on BBC One.