An EastEnders star due to perform live in Swindon has joked he will no longer come after learning that the town centre Marks & Spencer has closed.

Brian Conley is an actor and comedian who has presented the Royal Variety Performance on eight occasions and played several lead roles in the West End.

From 2021 to last year he starred as Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton on the long-running BBC television soap opera EastEnders.

He is set to perform at the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday, February 18, but was devastated to learn that the town centre Marks & Spencer had recently closed in October.

“I can’t believe it, why are we coming then, what’s up with Swindon,” joked Brian after hearing about M&S.

Swindon Advertiser: Brian was on EastEnders from 2021 to 2023.Brian was on EastEnders from 2021 to 2023. (Image: Brian Conley)

“Have I been to Swindon before, what’s in Swindon? Railways?

“I love railways, I have always been a big fan of railways and I always find it is a very good way of getting to Swindon.

“No, it is a lovely place with a nice shopping centre.”

The 62-year-old performer also opened up about his well-documented friendship with fellow celebrity Bradley Walsh during his exclusive chat with the Adver.

“I love Bradley and I introduced him to his wife Donna and he was an usher at my wedding while I was at his.

“We used to live on the same road in Watford before I knew him as he used to work at Rolls Royce building cars and I was a professional performer at the time so he came to see me a lot.

“I hate doing those shows [The Chase] as you have all these cameras and 300 people in the studio looking at you, your mind just goes blank.

Swindon Advertiser: Marks & Spencer closed in Swindon town centre in October of 2023.Marks & Spencer closed in Swindon town centre in October of 2023. (Image: Newsquest)

“I do them for a bit of fun and it’s good to get the money for charity too though.”

The show, entitled ‘Brian Conley: The 3rd Farewell Tour… To Date’, will feature Brian’s 21-year-old daughter Lucy.

“I love being out there live with the excitement and danger of it,” said Brian.

“This show is driven by comedy as me and Lucy and I sing some duets and she rips into me,” he said.

“The first half features songs from all the musicals I have been in and the second half is full-on comedy until right at the end when I get the crowd to ask me anything.”

Lucy added: “I look up to him a lot and I have learnt a lot from him.

“I just have so much fun doing this show with dad, it’s really great.”