Peter Dean
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| Peter Dean | |
| Born | 2 May 1939 Hoxton, London |
| Notable roles | Pete Beale in EastEnders |
Peter Dean (born 2 May 1939, in Hoxton, London) is a British actor, probably most famous for his role as Pete Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
Although other TV credits include 'Jeff Bateman' in Coronation Street (1980); Sergeant Jack Wilding in Woodentop (prequel to ITV police drama The Bill; 1983); Minder (1979); Law and Order (1978); Up Pompeii (1971), Doctor Who (1977); Shoestring (1979); Hammer House of Horror (1980) and The Chinese Detective (1981).
Film credits include: Sherlock Holmes; Sweet William (1980); Murder by Decree (1979); and playing a bouncer in The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980).
At the invitation of Julia Smith he was offered the role of Pete Beale in the fledgling BBC soap opera, EastEnders. He played the cockney fruit n veg trader from the shows inception in 1985 to 1993, after which his character died off-screen in a gang-related killing. In reality, however, Dean was allegedly axed following increased and irreconcilable differences with the show's producers and since his departure he has publicly slammed the producers for culling his character. Co-star June Brown (who plays Dot Cotton in the show) allegedly quit the show in protest following Dean's departure in 1993, but has since returned.
Post EastEnders, Dean's television credits have been few, although he has made guest appearances on Channel 4 sketch show Bo' Selecta! as well as Banzai. He also appeared in the Five television show Harry and Cosh in 2002. He also regularly appears in seasonal pantomimes.
In 1986, he released a single called "I Can't Get A Ticket To The World Cup" but it failed to make the charts.
