10 October 2023 , 17:30
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EastEnders' actor Danny Walters is known in households across the country for playing heart-throb Keanu Taylor.
However, beyond his TV fame, the soap star gives fans an insight into his real life away from Walford on his Instagram page. The actor who plays Keanu Taylor in the BBC One soap, first shot to fame in Benidorm, where he played Tiger Dyke. After impressing EastEnders bosses, Danny landed the role of Keanu, who embarked on a steamy affair with Sharon Watts - who was twice is age.
He left the soap in 2020 when things between his character Keanu and Sharon became too much, but made a shock return to the soap last year. Away from his controversial storylines, the Keanu actor lives a happy life with his stunning reality TV star girlfriend. Danny, who first joined EastEnders in 2017, is in a relationship with fellow TV star, Maddi Faircloth.
Danny with his real life girlfriend, Maddi (danny_walters/instagram)
The couple went public on a spa date (INSTAGRAM)Maddi, who is a data analyst and artist, previously appeared on Channel 4 reality show Shipmates, which saw her take part in pool parties onboard a luxury cruise ship around the Mediterranean. Both Danny and Maddi were rumoured to be dating for several months before they eventually went public with their romance.
Maddi made things official when she posted a snap of her beau at a spa resort which saw Danny sporting a white robe while gazing adorably at his girlfriend. At the time, a source revealed that the pair had wanted to keep their relationship under wraps but felt it was right to unveil for romance once and for all.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
"Danny is smitten with Maddi but wanted to keep the relationship low profile," the insider told. It's still early days but they enjoyed spending Christmas together and pals believe they'll get even more serious. Everyone is chuffed to bits for them as they get on so well." Since making their romance Instagram official, Danny and Maddi have continued to share a slew of snaps which share insight into their happy life together.
Danny with his ex-girlfriend Lily Smith (Danny Walters/Instagram)
Danny shared many doting pictures of Lily online (Instagram)Prior to his romance with Maddi, Danny was in a five-year relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Lily Smith. The couple often shared cosy selfies and gushing posts about their love for one another. Danny reportedly called time on his relationship with Lily in 2019 due to the fact they both wanted to focus on their careers.
A source told The Sun at the time: “Danny and Lily still have a lot of respect for each other, but want to spend time concentrating on their own goals." Danny quit EastEnders in 2019 after his character's affair with Walford stalwart Sharon was exposed. In 2020 he revealed he was targeted by bullies until his teens, and reveals a cruel jibe about his size on holiday convinced him to get healthy.
Speaking on Mike Fenton Stevens' My Time Capsule podcast, he explained: "We were talking to these two girls on the sun loungers and I came out and said, 'Hey' and they turned around and said, 'Oh my God, who's this ugly fat guy?' "I was like, 'Woah' and my brother said, 'Hey, that's really harsh.' "I started crying and ran off... This is not what I wanted people to see me as the funny fat guy."
Danny since went on to embrace health and fitness as training at the gym became a huge part of his life. As well as EastEnders, the actor has starred in Benidorm, Call the Midwife and Our World War.