Actor Michael Leader is celebrating after being given something to say in EastEnders for the first time in 16 years.

But his debut script contained just four words.

The Brighton-based actor was in the BBC soap's first episode in 1985 and has regularly appeared since then as Albert Square's milkman.

Until now, viewers have only seen him driving his milk float and placing pintas on the doorsteps.

But this week he broke his silence when he and his milk float became part of the storyline.

He spoke his first words as he delivered a drunk Kat Slater home on his milk float and asked her dad, Charlie: "Is this yours, squire?"

Michael said he was delighted at what he called "my little break".

Even though he has been mixing with the EastEnders cast for 16 years, he said of his speaking role: "It was very exciting to twinkle for a few seconds amongst an array of stars."

His speaking debut caused quite a stir.

He said: "I had loads of phone calls from friends. If the viewing figures went up by another 50, you know who to thank!

"I'm very pleased to still be in the show after all these years."

Michael has made a successful career as a film and stage extra and bit-part player.

He has a flat on the seafront in Kemp Town and was brought up in Brighton.

His late father, Harry Leader, was a band leader and Michael has also played the band leader in the Hi De Hi comedy series.

Michael reckons he is able to look the part as a milkman because the dairy business runs in the family.

His grandfather ran a little dairy in the East End.

Michael recalled:

"I used to help him so I had plenty of opportunity to get some experience on the milk floats.

"Life's turned full circle from my granddad running a real dairy to me being the milkman in the best soap in Britain.

He added: "I love films, TV and the stage.

"I did a bit of repertory theatre first and then went into television.

"I've had 16 happy years on EastEnders.

"Not many other people have been on such a successful show for that long.

"I'm very lucky that I'm one of the few people that can honestly say they love their job. EastEnders has the finest set I've ever worked on in my life.

"I've worked on the Bond films as a croupier and on the Star Wars films.

"I was one of the storm troopers on Star Wars and, yes, I was the one that walked into the door on that clip you always see as an out-take."