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Jaden Ladega
Ladega in 2023
Born
Jaden Luke Ladega

(2005-10-28) 28 October 2005 (age 19)
Sutton, Greater London, England[1]
OccupationActor
Years active2022–present
Known forRole of Denzel Danes in EastEnders
Signature

Jaden Luke Ladega (born 28 October 2005) is an English actor. He is known for his role of Denzel Danes in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders (2022–present).

Early life

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Jaden Luke Ladega was born into a Roman Catholic family in Sutton, Greater London, England on 28 October 2005,[2][3][4] as the elder child to Andrew Babatunde Ladega, a personal trainer at PureGym London Wandsworth on Wandsworth High Street,[5][6][7] and his wife, Doreen Desire "Denisha" (née Quirin), a housewife.[8] He has a younger brother called Jenson. His parents later divorced.[2][3]

Ladega attended St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School in Worcester Park[9] and Richard Challoner School in New Malden.[10] In June 2022, he was the recipient of a Creative Arts Award for his contribution to Richard Challoner School's drama department and to the performing arts.[2][3] He completed his training in acting at North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) in Epsom and Ewell, graduating in 2024.[11][12]

Ladega started running competitively for his primary school in the Surrey Championships at the age of six, and competed annually in Coulsdon, Carshalton, and Wimbledon. He joined Sutton and District Athletics Club's weekly program for children of all abilities at the age of nine, and, at the age of eleven, was promoted at a competitive level in the under 13s. He participated in the 60 metres, the 100 metres, the 200 metres, the high jump, and the long jump.[13] He started acting in drama clubs, and made short films using his phone and a green screen. He appeared regularly in musical theatre productions during his high school years, including in the Lionel Bart stage musical Oliver! and in the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman horror comedy rock musical Little Shop of Horrors. He has also acted in several of Shakespeare's plays at the Rose Theatre Kingston.[14]

Career

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Ladega has been represented by Rebecca Pumphrey[15] from Independent Talent Group since June 2022.[16]

Ladega made his professional debut as an actor at the age of sixteen,[17] when he joined the cast of the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, with the role of Denzel Danes.[18] His casting was announced on 6 June 2022. He started filming a few days later. Denzel makes his first appearance in episode 6531, originally broadcast on BBC Two[19] on 2 August 2022,[20][21] and is introduced as the son of Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson).[22][23] Denzel arrives in Walford with his mother, Delilah (Chereen Buckley), who arranges for him to live with his father and stepmother, Kim Fox (Tameka Empson), while she is away in Ibiza.[24][25] His character was introduced by Chris Clenshaw.[26] His character's storylines have included befriending Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury),[27] bullying Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd)[28] before beginning a relationship with her,[29][30] fighting for his life in hospital following a car accident with his stepmother,[31][32][33] being attacked by Walford High student Logan (Liam Hatch),[34][35] taking up boxing, developing muscle dysmorphia, purchasing steroids, and erectile dysfunction.[36][37][38] He appeared throughout the 40th Anniversary Week during February 2025,[39][40][41][42] including in the double episode and in the live episode.[43][44][45]

Charity work

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Ladega participated in the second annual Tom Parker football match at Dorking Wanderers F.C.'s Meadowbank stadium on 16 June (Father's Day) 2024, to raise funds and spread awareness of brain tumors.[46] He participated in the third annual football match at Bromley F.C.'s Hayes Lane stadium on 10 May 2025.[47]

Personal life

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Ladega supports the Premier League football team Arsenal F.C. and has visited Emirates Stadium in Holloway, London, on several occasions. He has a dog named Kirby "Kirbs" (b. 2021).[2][3][48]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022–present EastEnders Denzel Danes Regular role [49][50]

Awards and nominations

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Year Ceremony Award Nominated works Result
2024 RadioTimes.com Soap Awards Best Young Performer Denzel Danes in EastEnders Nominated
29th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Longlisted
Inside Soap Awards Best Young Performer Longlisted

Ladega was nominated for "Best Young Performer" at the 2024 RadioTimes.com Soap Awards,[51][52][53] however, he lost to Charlie Wrenshall (Liam Connor Jr., Coronation Street).[54][55][56] He was longlisted for "Serial Drama Performance" at the 29th National Television Awards,[57][58][59][60][61] however, he lost to Peter Ash (Paul Foreman, Coronation Street).[62] He was longlisted for "Best Young Performer" at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards,[63][64] however, he lost to Charlie Wrenshall (Liam Connor Jr., Coronation Street).[65]

References

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  1. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: NOV 2005 254/1C C42B 098 SUTTON — Jaden Luke Ladega
  2. ^ a b c d Tulloch, Sarah (6 March 2024). "BBC EastEnders' Denzel star Jaden Ladega's life off screen including co-star pal". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Tulloch, Sarah; Hart, Peter (8 July 2024). "EastEnders fans gobsmacked as they realise they've been holidaying with Denzel star Jaden Lageda". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  4. ^ Bertrand, Ezekiel (29 June 2025). "Jaden Ladega: Sutton born and raised EastEnders star". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Andrew Ladega". PureGym. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Personal Trainers in London Wandsworth". PureGym. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Andrew Ladega". The Council of Personal Trainers. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Jaden Ladega". IMDbPro. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Home". St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Home". Richard Challoner School. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Meet our Nescot Students". Nescot. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Nescot alumni". Nescot. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Jaden Ladega". power of 10. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Jaden Ladega". StarNow. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Agents". Independent Talent. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Jaden Ladega". Independent Talent. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  17. ^ "Child employment". gov.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  18. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (12 July 2023). "EastEnders cast 2023 – who plays who?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  19. ^ "BBC Two England - Schedules, Tuesday 2 August 2022". BBC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  20. ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 02/08/2022". BBC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  21. ^ "EastEnders - 02/08/2022". BBC iPlayer. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  22. ^ White, Kate (27 August – 2 September 2022). "'People keep telling me I better treat Kim right!'". Inside Soap. No. 35. pp. 44–45.
  23. ^ Bateman, Charlotte (28 August 2022). "BBC EastEnders: Delroy Atkinson teases 'dark side' to Howie as his son Denzel arrives in Walford". My London. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  24. ^ Dainty, Sophie (1 August 2022). "EastEnders reveals Howie Danes secret in new episodes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  25. ^ Patterson, Stephen (2 August 2022). "EastEnders spoilers: Kim Fox stunned as Howie Danes' secret son Denzel arrives – and moves in!". Metro. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  26. ^ "BBC Studios appoints Chris Clenshaw as EastEnders Executive Producer". BBC. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  27. ^ Denby, Laura (3 July 2024). "EastEnders character makes big confession in early BBC iPlayer". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  28. ^ Murphy, Steven (2 August 2022). "EastEnders spoilers reveal deadly fight that leaves one person lifeless". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  29. ^ Denby, Laura (17 October 2022). "EastEnders' Jack Branning lashes out at teen Denzel amid Amy romance". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  30. ^ Mensah, Katelyn (17 July 2024). "EastEnders' Ellie Dadd and Jaden Ladega on the future of Amy and Denzel". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  31. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (27 March 2023). "EastEnders death fears for Denzel Danes after horror crash". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  32. ^ Denby, Laura (5 April 2023). "EastEnders' Denzel regains consciousness and reveals Kim's guilt". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  33. ^ Cooper, Brenna (5 April 2023). "EastEnders' Denzel reveals the cause of Kim's car crash to Howie". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  34. ^ Baalla, Sara (24 January 2024). "EastEnders confirms new story for Denzel Danes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  35. ^ Jamshidian, Harry (6 April 2024). "Penarth Anytime Fitness trainer appearing in EastEnders". Penarth Times. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  36. ^ Mitchell, Harriet (27 February 2024). "EastEnders reveals worrying twist in Denzel Danes story". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  37. ^ Sarkisian, Jacob (4 March 2024). "EastEnders confirms Denzel Danes steroids storyline". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  38. ^ Denby, Laura (4 March 2024). "EastEnders confirms steroid story for struggling teen Denzel Danes". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  39. ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 17/02/2025". BBC. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  40. ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 18/02/2025". BBC. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  41. ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 19/02/2025". BBC. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  42. ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 20/02/2025". BBC. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  43. ^ Anderton, Joe; Kilkelly, Daniel (11 September 2024). "EastEnders star Jaden Ladega teases "never been done" storyline". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  44. ^ Rigney, Catriona; Johns, Victoria (24 February 2025). "EastEnders stars party until 4am on wild night out as they celebrate after live episode". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  45. ^ Knight, Lewis (6 March 2025). "EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  46. ^ Campbell, Tina (6 June 2024). "Tom Parker's widow Kelsey gives The Wanted her blessing to continue band without him". The Standard. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  47. ^ Campbell, Tina (10 May 2025). "Kelsey Parker vows to continue Tom's legacy after giving birth to baby with new partner". The Standard. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  48. ^ Morris, Lauren (21 October 2024). "EastEnders star Jaden Ladega shares devastating family tragedy - 'This is hard to put into words'". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  49. ^ "Jaden Ladega - BBC Programme Index". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  50. ^ "Jaden Ladega". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  51. ^ Sansome, Jessica (9 May 2024). "Coronation Street stars to be joined in Manchester by soap 'rivals' as award nominations revealed". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  52. ^ Daly, Helen (9 May 2024). "RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 nominations revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  53. ^ Sansome, Jessica (23 May 2024). "Former BBC EastEnders star heading to Manchester as soap awards in city name host". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  54. ^ Sansome, Jessica (13 July 2024). "Radio Times Soap Awards 2024 winners in full as one soap dominates". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  55. ^ "RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024". Radio Times. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  56. ^ Cremona, Patrick (13 July 2024). "RadioTimes.com Soap Awards winners: Full list revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  57. ^ Rowan, Iona (21 May 2024). "Death in Paradise, Doctor Who, Baby Reindeer and more make NTAs longlist". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  58. ^ Wilkes, Joseph; Tonks, Phoebe (21 May 2024). "National Television Awards 2024 longlist: Coleen Rooney's Wagatha goes head to head with David Beckham". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  59. ^ Wilkes, Joseph; Tonks, Phoebe (21 May 2024). "National Television Awards 2024 longlist: Michelle Keegan, Jason Manford and Corrie up for gongs". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  60. ^ Hibbs, James (21 May 2024). "NTAs 2024 longlist revealed – Mr Bates, Death in Paradise and more". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  61. ^ "NTAs 2024 longlist revealed as Mr Bates, Death in Paradise and Baby Reindeer named". Virgin Radio UK. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  62. ^ Craig, David (11 September 2024). "National Television Awards 2024 winners revealed – full list". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  63. ^ Harp, Justin (15 July 2024). "Emmerdale's Tom and Belle story and EastEnders' Six drama among Inside Soap Award nominees". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  64. ^ Timms, Chloe (20–26 July 2024). "Cast your vote now! Inside Soap Awards 2024". Inside Soap. No. 29. pp. 49–52.
  65. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (30 September 2024). "Coronation Street wins big at the Inside Soap Awards 2024". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
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