Brian Conley gets his temperature checked as he is seen on EastEnders set for the first time

Brian Conley has been spotted on the EastEnders set for the first time as he drove into Elstree Studios on Thursday.

The actor, 59, who joined the cast in February, had his temperature checked at the entrance, before being asked to go into one of the offices to have it checked again after appearing to be slightly warm with his jacket on.

Brian is set to play the long-lost father of Sonia Fowler in his role on the soap, with the West End star saying he’s hoping to ‘lighten up’ the show with his comedic role.

Here he is! Brian Conley has been spotted on the EastEnders set for the first time as he drove into Elstree Studios on Thursday

Brian showed off his newly-dyed grey hair as he arrived at the BBC studios for filming, stopping so the security staff could check his temperature.

The 9 to 5 star appeared to be told it was slightly high, leading the star to exit his car and head to a nearby office to have his temperature checked again.

Once it was clear Brian was in good health, he was seen returning to his car to drive it into the car park before making his way to the soap’s set.

Safety first: The actor who joined the cast in February, had his temperature checked at the entrance, before being asked to go into one of the offices to have it checked again

Safety first: The actor who joined the cast in February, had his temperature checked at the entrance, before being asked to go into one of the offices to have it checked again

A little warm? Brian showed off his newly-dyed grey hair as he arrived at the BBC studios for filming, stopping so the security staff could check his temperature

A little warm? Brian showed off his newly-dyed grey hair as he arrived at the BBC studios for filming, stopping so the security staff could check his temperature

Take it off! The 9 to 5 star emerged from his car and removed his jacket

That's better! His temperature was then checked again before he entered the studio

Take it off! The 9 to 5 star emerged from his car and removed his jacket to head into a nearby office, where his temperature was checked again

Off he goes! Once it was clear Brian was in good health, he was seen returning to his car to drive it into the car park before making his way to the soap's set

Off he goes! Once it was clear Brian was in good health, he was seen returning to his car to drive it into the car park before making his way to the soap’s set

Like many soaps, EastEnders has introduced strict social distancing measures that all cast members must adhere to during filming, though in some exceptions stars have formed professional cohorts to film more intimate scenes.

Brian joined the EastEnders cast back in February when bosses revealed he’d landed the role of Sonia’s father, and hoped the star could bring some Cockney charm back to the soap with his character.

Speaking about the role he said: ‘As you can imagine, being a Londoner and now being part of EastEnders is such an incredible moment for me.

‘I know for sure my dad’s looking down from above and saying: ‘Good on yer son!’

‘It was always his favourite programme. So in so many ways it really is an honour to be part of such an iconic show and to be working with an incredibly talented team on camera and off.’ 

Keeping them safe: Like many soaps, EastEnders has introduced strict social distancing measures that all cast members must adhere to during filming

Keeping them safe: Like many soaps, EastEnders has introduced strict social distancing measures that all cast members must adhere to during filming

New role: Brian joined the EastEnders cast back in February

Exciting: Bosses announced that he'd landed the role of Sonia's long-lost father

New role: Brian joined the EastEnders cast back in February when bosses revealed he’d landed the role of Sonia’s father

The former host of The Brian Conley show added: ‘I cannot wait to order my first pint at The Queen Vic.’

Despite this, in 2012 he claimed he turned down a role in EastEnders twice because they were too rigid about him being able to do other work.

Speaking to The Daily Record at the time, he said: ‘I don’t hanker for fame. I just want to work. EastEnders wouldn’t allow me to do anything else and I do a lot of corporate gigs.

‘Also, unless you are in it for three years, you don’t earn anything and I’ve got two children who go to private school.’

Funny: The West End star said he's hoping to 'lighten up' the soap with his comedic role as Sonia's dad Terry Cant

Funny: The West End star said he’s hoping to ‘lighten up’ the soap with his comedic role as Sonia’s dad Terry Cant 

No! Despite this, in 2012 Brian claimed he turned down a role in EastEnders twice because they were too rigid about him being able to do other work

No! Despite this, in 2012 Brian claimed he turned down a role in EastEnders twice because they were too rigid about him being able to do other work

Sonia, who is played by Natalie Cassidy, first searched for her lost father’s name online last year when she was feeling lonely but without success.

Having given up hope of finding him, his arrival in Walford ‘will be a huge shock’, the BBC One soap said. 

Commenting on the new arrival to the cast, EastEnders’ executive producer Jon Sen said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Brian to Albert Square.

‘We had been searching for some time but the moment we met Brian, we knew instantly we had found our man.

Need the money? It was previously reported that Brian took the EastEnders role after all of his corporate and acting work dried up during the Covid pandemic

Need the money? It was previously reported that Brian took the EastEnders role after all of his corporate and acting work dried up during the Covid pandemic

‘Brian’s a talented performer whose charm, wit and charisma are exactly the qualities we want for Terry.

‘We’ve got some wonderful stories in store for him and can’t wait for the audience to see Brian bring him to life.’ 

It was previously reported that Brian took the EastEnders role after all of his corporate and acting work dried up during the Covid pandemic.

The Sun claimed that he could take home as much as £25,000 per corporate engagement and had been paid up to £120,000 for stints in high-end pantomimes. 

Cashing in: It was claimed that he could take home as much as £25,000 per corporate engagement and had been paid up to £120,000 for stints in high-end pantomimes

Cashing in: It was claimed that he could take home as much as £25,000 per corporate engagement and had been paid up to £120,000 for stints in high-end pantomimes