Jonny Labey says \'EastEnders\' "only works" because of its "loyal fan base".
The former Albert Square star - who played Paul Coker from June 2015 to September 2016 when the character was killed off following a homophobic attack - praised the BBC One soap\'s fans as "the most loyal, incredible people" and thanked them for their support over the years.
He said: "The \'EastEnders\' fans are the most loyal, incredible people.
"It\'s unbelievable, with such a machine of a show it only works because it\'s supported by such a loyal fan base."
Jonny will be back on our screens on \'The X Factor: Celebrity\' this weekend, and the 26-year-old star is hoping the \'EastEnders\' fans will support him on the programme.
He added: "No matter what it is that I\'ve done or what it is that I\'m doing, there\'s always been people there that know you from Paul Coker from \'EastEnders\'.
"The fans really got behind that character as well as my journey on the show so I hope they will do the same for me now I am on \'The X Factor\'."
Jonny is grateful to \'EastEnders\' for giving him "huge exposure" and he is now hoping to pursue a career in singing.
He said: "It\'s [\'X Factor: Celebrity\' has] come at a really a prevalent time for me actually.
"I\'ve spent the last couple of years really trying to create content and create things, starting online channels.
"I\'m from a musical, theatre background, so obviously dancing, acting and singing has always been in balance.
"I trained primarily as a dancer, but my first major job was acting in \'EastEnders\', so I had that huge exposure.
"Then I did a show called \'Dance, Dance, Dance\', that literally feels like a lifetime ago now.
"In order to pursue a career in singing, you have to really think about who you are as an artist.
"I hadn\'t really gotten to that stage yet. I come from a very musical family, my dad\'s a singer."
