David ProudA new actor will be wheeling himself into Walford this summer.

EastEnders have cast a wheelchair bound actor for the first time in the soap’s 24-year history.

David Proud will play Adam Best, son of Manda (Josie Lawrence). He’s an Oxford University student who comes to stay with his mum during the holidays and is less than impressed by Albert Square.

EastEnders executive producer, Diederick Santer, said: "I'm delighted to welcome David to EastEnders.

"In recent years, we've had a number of regular and guest characters with disabilities – some of them children, like Janet Mitchell, and Syd's son Noah. We've also told the story of Jean Slater, who suffers from bi-polar disorder.

"But this is the first time we've had a regular adult character with a visible disability played by an actor with a disability. It's about time."

Sure is.

Refreshingly, David’s character is potentially quite irritating. He’s sniffy about Walford, scorns the Queen Vic and doesn’t think Minty is good enough for his mum.

The only thing he does take a fancy to is potential Oxford student Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu), girlfriend of Darren Miller (Charlie G. Hawkins).

David, who’s previously had parts in CBBC's Desperados and ITV2's Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, said: "I am delighted and honoured to be joining such a talented cast. I'm very excited and looking forward to bringing the character to life."

No surprises there then.

Find out when EastEnders is next on TV.