New Eastender has strong Longford links
A Longford descendant has earned a starring role in one of the UK and Ireland's most popular TV soaps. Liam Bergin, the son of Tommy Bergin, who lived at 56 Main St Longford, until the 1970s, has joined the cast of Eastenders as Danny Mitchell.
The young actor, who was raised in Essex, visited Longford last year but sadly it was to attend the funeral of his grandmother Nellie. His grandfather Nicholas, now deceased, was also a well known Longford man.
Liam has several relatives still living in Longford including his uncles Michael, Roger and Noel and his aunt Nicola.
Liam's father Tommy emigrated to England in the mid 1970s where he met his wife Daphne and they later had two children, Elliot and Liam.
He began his acting career with several appearances in adverts and he also recently appeared in William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in Rougemont Gardens in Exeter but his family feel this part in Eastenders is his big break.
When he was asked recently how he is settling into life on Albert Square, the Longford descendant said: "I've been here since November, but it feels like a lifetime ago. I had about a week and a half before I started filming, so I wasn't thrown straight in at the deep end. I think I felt as calm as you can be when you start at EastEnders, although I was shocked by the amount there was to read and names to learn."
He also says he was a fan of the soap before getting the role: "I was a regular viewer when I was younger - in the '90s era when Phil and Grant were in charge and in full power. Along with Ricky and Bianca, the Mitchells were EastEnders to me and now I've become part of the family."
Liam is now playing the role of Archie's secret son and he explained the lead up to the role,
"It was all very quick for me. I'd met the powers that be at EastEnders about a year ago because I was actually offered the part of another character. I did three or four auditions, so I really became familiar with the team. When it came to Danny Mitchell, I had one audition and I received a call about an hour and a half later, which I wasn't expecting!
"I had the normal nerves connected with an audition but I was quite confident in the circumstances. When I walked out, I called my mum and said that I thought I was a bit over-excited. They gave nothing away and in my heart of hearts, I'd dreamed that I'd walk in and they'd offer it to me there and then. For an hour and half, I was quite down but then I received the call."
The youngest Mitchell sibling is now predicted to set hearts racing in Walford so make sure to stay tuned and see how the young Longford descendant is getting on as Danny Mitchell.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
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Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
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