Marc Bannerman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marc Bannerman (born 15 August 1973 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish-British actor, best known for playing Gianni di Marco in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders.
Although Marc was born in Dublin, Ireland he spent his childhood growing up in North London, United Kingdom.
Whilst training at 'The Courtyard Theatre Company' he played a variety of roles ranging from Palamon in The Canterbury Tales to performing in Nosferatu. This diversity has followed him into his career with television performances as Paul in The Stalkers Apprentice, Gangster in On the Eighth Ball, Phil in The Bill and Malcolm in Chalk for the BBC.
Despite his Irish roots, in 1997 Marc was asked to become part of a new Italian Family entering Albert Square, in the BBC's award winning serial drama EastEnders. He played Gianni di Marco until 2000, after which all his character's family, bar his on-screen brother Beppe (Michael Greco), were axed from the show.
Since his departure Marc has starred in several series of the hit comedy series Time Gentlemen Please alongside Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels and Al Murray. He also appeared as his idol Elvis Presley in Celebrity Stars in their eyes. He has presented Wish You Were Here...? for ITV, and has also played guest leads in The Grimleys with Amanda Holden and Dream Team on SKY One. His most recent television appearances were in the BBC hospital drama Holby City, in the ITV drama, Footballers' Wives: Extra Time and the ITV game-show Celebrity Wrestling.
Recent stage appearances include King Rat in Dick Whittington at Eastbourne and David Freeman in In Two Minds at the Theatre Royal, Windsor and the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.
Marc once dated his EastEnder co-star Nadia Sawalha, who played his on-screen love interest Annie Palmer. He is also a keen boxer.
Most recently, Marc appeared as the Beast in Spillers Pantomimes productions of Beauty and the Beast at the Woodville Halls, Gravesend.