EASTENDERS icon Kat Slater's bark has always been worse than her bite.
But that is set to change as we can reveal Kat actress Jessie Wallace, 51, is turning to professional boxer Chris Evangelou, 37, for lessons away from the Square.
Fighter-turned-actor Chris will make a cameo in the soap this week when he fights Ben Mitchell in the ring, and he's given the cast an open invite to train at The Fit Factory, in Cockfosters, which he runs with his brother Andreas.
He said: "They've just opened The Boxing Den in Walford. After we did filming, Jessie asked if I train people and I told her I did. She said: 'I really want to get back into boxing.' So I think she's going to pop into my gym.
"All the EastEnders cast will be coming to my gym. We had a mutual friend in common. She's really nice. I'd love to train her."
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Chris starred alongside A-list talent such as Colin Farrrell and Matthew McConaughey in Guy Ritchie gangster flick The Gentleman and played the lead role in short film Shadow Boxer in 2019.
He'd now love a permanent role in Enders after starring alongside some of soapland's biggest stars including Phil Mitchell actor Steve McFadden.
He said: "I would love that to happen. They are like a little family and it's nice to be a part of that. They really welcomed me in. Max Bowden was so nice and Tony Clay, we had lunch over a few of the days. They've been so supportive."
Chris also shed light on how the actors relax backstage in between scenes.
"Danny Walters, who plays Keanu, was playing Chess on a mini chess board," he said. "They love it in the green room. It's where they relax and chill out."
The sportsman has always been a big fan of the programme having grown up watching it.
Last week, he shared his excitement at being cast on Instagram, writing: "What an amazing experience it was to be filming on a soap I grew up watching.
"Thank you to all the cast and crew for making my time on set feel like home.
"Special thank you to @maxbowden5 for making me feel so welcome and for having some great boxing skills, also to my boy @tonyclay1 thank you for lunch lol."
