EastEnders star engaged to girlfriend after romantic proposal: ‘Guess you’re stuck with me’

EastEnders star engaged to girlfriend after romantic proposal: ‘Guess you’re stuck with me’ | Soaps Reporter Published September 24, 2026 10:43am Updated September 24, 2026 10:43am The happy couple got engaged in Rhodes (Picture: Instagram/ Danny Walters) Former EastEnders star Danny Walters is engaged to his long-term girlfriend Maddi Faircloth after popping the question during a romantic getaway. The actor, 33, who is best known to soap fans for playing Keanu Taylor in the BBC soap, shared the exciting news with fans after proposing to his partner of five years. Danny chose the picturesque Greek island of Rhodes as the setting for the special moment, getting down on one knee while the couple enjoyed their sun-soaked break. Sharing a picture from the proposal on Instagram, Danny could be seen holding out a ring as he asked Maddi to become his wife. Clearly delighted that she said yes, he joked alongside the romantic snap: ‘Guess you’re stuck with me now.’ The announcement was quickly flooded with congratulations from friends, family and fans, including some familiar faces from Albert Square. Danny’s former EastEnders co-star Danielle Harold, who played Lola Pearce-Brown in the soap, was among those celebrating the couple’s news. She wrote: ‘Ahhh so beautiful congratulations to you both.’ Emma Barton also left a sweet comment for the couple, writing ‘Congratulations both of you’. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Danny and Maddi, who previously appeared on the reality series Shipmates in 2019, are believed to have started dating in 2021. However, the couple initially kept their romance away from the spotlight and didn’t publicly confirm their relationship until the following year. They went Instagram official in January 2022, sharing a loved-up photograph together and giving fans a glimpse into their relationship. Their romance has since gone from strength to strength, with the pair becoming parents to their first child, a daughter named Autumn, in March 2025. Danny was already a familiar face on television before arriving in Walford, having played Tiger Dyke in ITV comedy Benidorm. However, it was his role as Keanu Taylor in EastEnders that made him a household name with soap viewers. Danny made his Albert Square debut in 2017 as a member of the Taylor family alongside mum Karen, played by Lorraine Stanley, and siblings including Keegan and Bernadette. Keanu quickly found himself at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines, most notably his explosive affair with Sharon Watts. Their relationship caused chaos in Walford due to Sharon being married to Phil Mitchell at the time, while Keanu also became involved with Phil’s daughter Louise. Keanu met his demise during the huge ‘The Six’ storyline (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) The complicated love triangle eventually resulted in Sharon becoming pregnant with Keanu’s son Albie and sparked a dramatic feud with the Mitchell family. Danny initially left EastEnders in 2020 before making a surprise return in December 2022, when Keanu arrived back in Albert Square and once again became closely involved with Sharon. His second stint on the soap ultimately led to an even more dramatic exit. For months, EastEnders teased viewers with a flash-forward storyline showing six women standing over the body of an unidentified man in The Queen Vic on Christmas Day. The mystery became one of the soap’s biggest talking points of 2023, with fans attempting to work out who would meet their end. On Christmas Day, viewers finally discovered that Keanu was the mystery victim. He was killed by Linda Carter after a dramatic confrontation in the pub, bringing Danny’s time on the soap to a shocking conclusion as part of the huge storyline known as ‘The Six’. Although Keanu’s turbulent life in Albert Square ended in tragedy, things couldn’t be happier for the actor away from the cameras. Deals of the Day Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Now, more than two years after his dramatic EastEnders departure, Danny has another major milestone to celebrate as he and Maddi prepare to become husband and wife. Arrow MORE: Coronation Street star rushed to hospital with suspected rabies after monkey attack Arrow MORE: ‘Ageing is a beautiful thing’: Emmerdale’s Emma Atkins embracing raw look amid ‘brutal’ doubts Arrow MORE: EastEnders Priya star Sophie Khan Levy exits after three years as she confirms real-life pregnancy The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.