SAD NEWS: EastEnders heartthrob’s devastating death just months after dream wedding

He was one of the original EastEnders’ cast and soon became a heartthrob in millions of homes – but at just 57 Ross Davidson died tragically, just months after his dream wedding.

The Scottish actor hadn’t initially dreamed of stardom and started his working life as a PE teach in Scotland. He was also an international water polo player, competing for his home country.

However, teaching wasn’t for him and he eventually quit his job in a school to run a pub and disco in Glasgow. Something had shifted for Ross though, and he caught the acting bug, enrolling in night classes.

His first television role came in 1979 when he starred in a BBC play, A Degree of Uncertainty, before getting small parts in other BBC dramas like Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors and Widows II.

To supplement his income, Ross also appeared in TV adverts in both Germany and Spain before winning a role in the 1983 film, Pirates of Penzance, and the Monty Python short, The Crimson Permanent Assurance.

Then, in 1985, Ross got his big break, winning the part of nurse Andy O’Brien, as part of the original cast of EastEnders. During his time in the huge BBC soap, fans saw him involved in some of the biggest storylines.

He lived with his girlfriend, Debbie Wilkins, but the couple had a rocky relationship and eventually agreed to see other people. Deemed the ‘middle-class’ residents of Albert Square, Andy is determined to make a difference to his local community and is at the heart of campaigns against the demolition of the square itself.

He also helps troubled teen Mary Smith to learn to read before embarking on a scandalous affair with Queen Vic landlady, Angie Watts, before the couple are caught in bed by Angie’s furious husband, Den.

Finally realising Andy is a catch, Debbie decides she wants him back and the couple finally get engaged. However, their couple is short-lived as just 18 months after arriving in Albert Square, Andy is mown down by a lorry driver and killed.

Ross was the first of the original cast to quit EastEnders and he went on to star in stage plays and worked as a television presenter on Daytime Live and Run the Gauntlet.

EastEnders was not the only soap he appeared in with roles in both Liverpool-based show, Brookside and the Welsh soap, Pobol Y Cwm as well as taking on the role Peter O’Dell in Scottish soap, Take the High Road. Between 1999 and 2002, Ross also starred as Andy Morgan in the teen soap, Hollyoaks.

Tragically, in 2005 Ross was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had surgery, which was sadly unsuccessful. He was re-admitted to hospital just a month later and told he had a glioblastoma grade 4, which is the most aggressive and fastest growing type of brain tumour.

Determined to live life to the full, just three months after his diagnosis Ross married his long-term girlfriend, Barbara. In July of that year he announced that his tumour was inoperable and he had just 12 to 18 months to live.

At the time, he said: “I was about to retire. And I was just thinking how life was treating me unbelievably well and then this cancer nonsense comes along and spoils everything. Thanks a lot. I’ve been killed off at least three times on TV. I’ve been rehearsing for this for years.”

Ross died on October 16, 2007, aged just 57, leaving behind his wife and eight-year-old son, Drew, along with three step-children.

Following his death at his home on Fronton-on-Sea in Essex, Ross’ agent, Keith Bishop, said: “Ross had surgery three times. He searched the country for a cure and fought a brave fight.”

Co-star, Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale in EastEnders’ paid tribute to his former co-star. He said: “He was a good man with a great sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye.

“It’s a great shame that he has left us after such a long and brave battle, but he always was a fierce competitor. My thoughts are with his family.”