Phil Daniels previously appeared in BBC series The Long Firm

Daniels, who also appeared in movie Scum and TV series The Long Firm, will play a "good hearted" family man.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge of doing some quality mainstream TV."

Executive producer Kate Harwood said: "Phil Daniels is an extraordinary talent. It is a real coup to have him join the show."

'Big fan'

Daniels said: "I am very happy to be joining the show especially as my mum is a big fan."

His character Kevin Wicks will arrive in EastEnders in early 2006 pursuit of his son Deano, to be played by Matt Di Angelo.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 1979 Scum 1979 Quadrophenia 1980 Breaking Glass 1984 Meantime 1993 Bad Behaviour 1994 Blur's Parklife 1998 Still Crazy 2004 The Long Firm 2004 Outlaws (above)

"The Wicks family is going to be a force to be reckoned in Walford next year," Ms Harwood added.

London-born Daniels, 46, took the starring role in acclaimed movie Quadrophenia in 1979.

He then appeared in a raft of films including Breaking Glass and Bad Behaviour as well as Mike Leigh TV drama Meantime and BBC series Outlaws.

Daniels also performed with Blur on their hit 1994 single Parklife.

The news comes two days after EastEnders was named best soap at the Inside Soap awards.