Jonno Highway’s (Richard Graham) toxic shadow is about to fall over Albert Square once again, albeit briefly, as he returns to EastEnders next week.
He quickly shows that he’s still every bit the bigoted, abusive and violent monster he always was, as estranged son Callum (Tony Clay) first lays eyes on him as he launches a homophobic attack on Eve Unwin-Panesar (Heather Peace).
Although his dad protests his innocence, Eve disputes this and Callum puts his dad under arrest.
Although a smitten Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) tries to use his legal skills to mend things between father and son, Jonno’s motives are ultimately revealed: he’s after cash. As things turn ugly, a heart attack brings an untimely end to their argument – and Jonno himself.
Newer fans may be unaware of just how vile Jonno truly was but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered…
Who is Jonno Highway?
Prior to Jonno’s first appearance, Ricky Champ, who played Jonno’s elder son and Callum’s brother, Stuart, told Metro: ‘you see where Stuart’s aggression comes from and why Callum is so reluctant to come forward about how he feels as he has someone who has suppressed him and put him down all these years.
‘It’s all about Callum trying to be the man to prove himself to his dad – but that’s not who he wants to be. He just wants his dad to be proud of him but he’s never going to be because nothing he ever does is good enough.’
‘He has seen his dad be aggressive when he was younger – he has that hold over them still. The minute he walks back in, it’s ‘here we go again’. But equally, there’s a hope that it could all work out okay.’
Jonno first reared his (metaphorically) ugly head for son Callum’s aborted wedding to Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), who reached out to him to attend the ceremony.
Whitney was unaware, however, that Jonno had abused both Callum and his brother Stuart.
Upon his arrival, he showed exactly what kind of man he was, clashing with Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) during the Pride festival and letting him know just how disgusting he finds gay people.
After a physical attack on Callum, Stuart stands up to his dad and threatens to kill him if he didn’t leave. A shocked Jonno tucks his tail and scarpers.
He later returned and was shocked to hear that Callum and Whitney’s wedding never took place.
He made some sexist remarks toward Whitney and then, when Callum summoned the courage to come out as gay to his dad, he was met with a typical barrage of vitriol.
Accusing Ben of turning his son into ‘one of them’, Jonno earned himself an incredibly cathartic punch from Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), putting him flat on his back.
Threatening to call the police and report Phil for the assault, Jonno was cowed when everybody in the pub denied seeing any altercation. Defeated, humiliated and ultimately, disowning his son, Jonno took his leave.
Who is actor Richard Graham and what else has he been in?
Although his character is utterly loathsome, the same can’t be said for actor Richard Graham, who’s maintained a long and successful career.
Richard has had roles in four Oscar nominated films – Titanic, in which he played Quartermaster George T Rowe, In The Name Of The Father, Phantom Thread and Gangs Of New York.
He’s also racked up appearances in other Oscar nominated projects, including roles in Vera Drake, My Beautiful Laundrette, Under Suspicion, The Kid and The Bounty.
On the small screen, Richard has had turns in The Bill, Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness, Whitechapel and Heartbeat, and, was no stranger to soap land prior to his ‘Enders debut, having appeared as Billy Alexander, starring in 16 episodes of Hollyoaks.
