As Nick Cotton, actor John Altman is responsible for one of EastEnders’ most memorable soap villains.

But now 40 years on from originating the iconic character, John has revealed his isn’t in touch with any of his former co-stars.

The actor first appeared as Dot Cotton’s (June Brown) bad boy son Nick – who was famed for his ‘ello Ma’ catchphrase – between 1985 and 1991 before staging several guest returns until the character was killed off as part of the BBC soap’s 30th anniversary in 2015.

With the show now turning 40 this week, John spoke to TV presenter Hayley Palmer of how he has lost contact with his fellow soap stars.

‘I don’t really keep in contact with any of the cast members,’ he said (via The Sun). ‘I just tend to see them at funerals or at charity nights – there’s been too many funerals.

‘When you are at EastEnders, you have to sort of cut yourself off from the world as you are at it every single day of the week.

‘Even on the weekend, you are always learning lines – it’s not glamorous!

‘So when you’re not in it, they are all still in “that world” and I’m in the normal world.’

John previously had a close relationship with the late June Brown, who played his on-screen mum.

The legendary soap actress died in 2022 at the age of 95, over two years on from her last appearance as Dot.

Recalling fun moments working with her on set, John said: ‘June and I knew our characters so well that we just kept on improvising.

‘The crew must have been looking around wondering where all the missing pages of script had gone!’

John was previously vocal with his thoughts about EastEnders’ on-screen tribute to Dot in 2022 when the character passed away following June’s death.

‘It seemed to be quite quick,’ he said. ‘They should have done an hour-long episode to pay homage to her. They could have put in some old scenes from over the years.’

The episode of the long-running serial drama was actually extended, running at almost 40 minutes, and it received universal praise from both fans and critics alike, with audiences branding it the perfect send-off and tribute.