David Essex in hope for EastEnders return

Seventies pop icon David Essex hopes to return to his role as loveable Eddie Moon in EastEnders, it can be revealed today.

Speaking during his run of All The Fun of the Fair at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre, the singer told the Express & Star he was leaving the door open for a return to the popular BBC soap.

The show's producers are trying to entice him back to his role as the roguish Moon, uncle of show favourite Alfie.

"I really enjoyed it. It was fast and furious but really good.

"They want me to go back – apparently when I was in it the viewing figures were the highest they had been for 10 years," he said.

"I definitely wouldn't close the door on going back. There were some powerful storylines and it went very well." This week marked the final few shows of the UK tour of the musical.

The musical was nominated for Best New West End Musical 2010 by What's On Stage during its West End run at the Garrick Theatre in London.

It was put together by Essex, aged 65, and Boogie Nights creator Jon Conway and was inspired by his chart-smashing album of the same name.

It features some of the singer's best loved hits including Winter's Tale, Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You A Star, Me And My Girl, Nightclubbing, Silver Dream Machine and Rock On.

Essex plays fun fair owner Levi Lee, recently widowed and father of a rebellious teenage son.

"We have done nearly 600 shows now and this is the final week. I am going to miss it," he said.

"It has been a massive hit, thank goodness. I'm very proud of it.

"Me and Jon Conway came up with the story together.

"It's a world you hardly ever get a look into – the work of the travelling fun fair."