Jarrod Bowen EastEnders Cameo? You’d better believe it. West Ham United’s captain and England international made a surprise appearance on Albert Square this week, delighting both football fans and loyal viewers as EastEnders kicks off celebrations for its monumental 40th anniversary.
It’s not every day you see a Premier League star waltz into Walford, but Bowen popped up on Wednesday (12 February) in a heartwarming video message for longtime character Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).
A proud West Ham devotee both on and off screen, Mitchell was over the moon to receive the club captain’s well-wishes for his wedding to Honey. You can watch Bowen’s cameo offering a cheery congratulations right here.
This special crossover between two East London institutions feels as natural as a last-minute stoppage-time goal. EastEnders may be all about drama, but it’s always had a fondness for West Ham United—famous claret-and-blue props, team scarves, and Hammers references have been sprinkled throughout Albert Square for decades. After all, the fictional E20 postcode isn’t too far from the real-life London Stadium.
Bowen’s cameo adds another intriguing layer to the West Ham–EastEnders connection, especially since he’s practically part of the show’s family: his future father-in-law, Danny Dyer, spent nine years pulling pints in the Queen Vic as Mick Carter, and his fiancée, Dani Dyer, had a brief role behind the wheel of a black cab in 2021.
Let’s not forget other West Ham icons who’ve wandered into Walford, like former manager Harry Redknapp, who also popped in for a memorable appearance.
“It’s great to be part of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebrations and appear on the show. EastEnders is loved by so many people and obviously has a strong link to the east London community, so to represent West Ham United in this very special episode is a really nice moment for everyone connected with the club.”
Reflecting on his unexpected TV stint, Bowen
Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw also beamed about this slice of East London synergy: “We’re thrilled that Jarrod agreed to take part in our special celebrations as we lead up to our 40th anniversary.
EastEnders has many dedicated West Ham fans, both on and off screen, so it’s a real honour that we can now say we have had the West Ham captain and England international appear in the show.”
As for the show’s milestone itself, EastEnders will officially mark four decades on air starting Monday 17 February, with new episodes dropping every night at 7:30 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The anniversary hits its peak on Wednesday 19 February with an hour-long special, and then builds to a live episode on Thursday 20 February.
Expect plenty of fireworks in Walford as the series continues its tradition of plot twists, cliffhangers, and an unforgettable homage to the East End it calls home.