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
History of The Bill 12 further episodes for transmission in 1984. "Woodentop" was directed by Peter Cregeen, who had played a part in "Z-Cars" and "Juliet Bravo". The cast included Peter Dean as Sergeant Wilding who went on to play Peter Beale in "EastEnders". The first episode of "The Bill" was broadcast at 21:00 hours, on 16 October 1984. From the pilot episode, the actors who portrayed Carver, Ackland, Litten and Morgan (renamed to Edwards) were retained. The character of Detective Inspector Roy Galloway was also retained from the pilot, but was recast to be played by John Salthouse. Several new characters were introduced,