EastEnders actor ‘couldn’t believe it’ as he reveals real-life link to co-star
EastEnders actor Elijah Holloway has opened up about his real-life connection to his on-screen best friend
EastEnders’ Elijah Holloway has spilled the beans on a surprising real-life connection with his co-star Dayo Koleosho.
The 26-year-old actor, who joined the BBC One soap as Harry Mitchell in June 2024, shares a close on-screen bond with Kojo Asare, portrayed by Dayo.
Interestingly, their friendship predates their EastEnders fame, having met at a theatre months before they both bagged roles on the popular show.
During an appearance on This Morning (October 8), Elijah shed light on his off-screen camaraderie with his beloved co-star.
“Me and Dee, we go way back. I was working in a theatre on the stage door and he was in a show, and we met through there”, Elijah shared with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, reports Plymouth Live.
Elijah Holloway appeared on This Morning to talk about his role as Harry Mitchell on EastEnders(Image: ITV)
“He was an actor in the show and we got talking, realised we got on then at the end he sent me a letter asking for my number.”
Elijah quipped: “Very romantic actually”, before adding: “Then we stayed in contact and would talk once a month or whatever, we would have a phone call, and I was able to tell him ‘look I’ve got a job in EastEnders’.”
He continued: “He knows I have been waiting a long time for something, and he was super happy for me.”
In a twist of fate, Dayo also landed a role on the BBC One soap as Kojo, the brother of established character George Knight, played by Colin Salmon.
EastEnders’ Harry Mitchell is trying to protect Kojo Asare from Ravi and Okie(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Elijah concluded: “A month later, he calls me and goes: ‘You’ll never guess what I’m going to be in EastEnders’.
“Now I thought he was just pulling my leg because he is cheeky, and then I see him at work. We couldn’t quite believe it because we had spoken about working together.”
Kojo made his debut on-screen in August 2024, when he paid a visit to his brother George in Walford.
Elijah Holloway talks to Ben and Cat about his EastEnders role on This Morning(Image: ITV)
He chose to settle down permanently in the Square before moving into his own flat with his best mate Harry, and securing a job with him at The Arches.
However, the duo are currently embroiled in a major drugs operation orchestrated by Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).
Harry and Kojo have been unable to break free from Ravi’s perilous grip and in upcoming episodes, the situation escalates as Kojo is coerced into drug running and Harry is kidnapped.