Peter Dean (actor) Peter Dean (actor) Peter Dean (born 2 May 1939) is a British actor, he is best known for his roles as Pete Beale in "EastEnders", Jeff Bateman in "Coronation Street" and Sergeant Jack Wilding in "Woodentop". Dean decided on a career in acting after actress Prunella Scales witnessed him rehearsing Shakespeare in Petticoat Lane Market and advised him to take drama classes. Aged 16 he studied under Joan Littlewood and has been an actor since he was 18. Dean's breakthrough performance was playing criminal 'Jack Lynn' in "Law And Order" (1978). He went on to have roles in television shows
Peter Beale was reported that Peter was to return to the series, played by Ben Hardy. He said of his casting: "I'm really excited to be joining the fantastic cast of "EastEnders"—a show which my family have watched for years. I can't wait to step into the shoes of a character with so much history and am looking forward to getting stuck in." Executive producer Lorraine Newman said, "Ben's a wonderful addition to the "EastEnders" cast and I am sure he will be popular with the audience. Having Peter back in the Beale fold helps cement the next generation of the Beale