EastEnders star Brian Conley broke down in tears over hypnotist's unusual instruction

He’s one of the best-known faces on British television, having spent three years in EastEnders, taken part in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity and hosted his own TV comedy series.

But entertainer Brian Conleyreveals he had to ‘jump through hoops’ to land a role in Back to the Future: The Musical in London’s West End - because the show’s American producers hadn’t actually heard of him.

Brian, who previously won a coveted Olivier Award for his theatre performances, says: “I had to prove himself to the American producers and directors.

“I had to come in and do three auditions – one for singing, two for acting. I had to meet them and then I was filmed so that it could be sent to the American producer.

“There are a lot of things riding on it - it’s a huge franchise; it’s on in four continents - so they want to make sure that it’s well looked after.

“I had to jump through hoops, because they didn’t know who I am and it’s a specific role. You have to present it with a certain energy and you have to understand the character and sound right.”

The role of Back to the Future’s madcap scientist Doc Brown comes off the back of one of the busiest years of Brian’s life. He reprised the role of EastEnders’ Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton earlier this year and has just finished a nationwide tour of The Prat Pack, with fellow TV legends Bradley Walsh, Shane Richie and Joe Pasquale.

Then as soon as he’s finished on the West End, he’s straight into rehearsals for this year’s pantomime, a month-long run of Goldilocks in Milton Keynes.

Not bad for someone who had planned to take it easy after reaching 64. But Brian reveals that while he loves every second of his work, there is an altogether more poignant reason for his hectic schedule.

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For his relentless work ethic comes from a drive to prove himself after cruelly being labelled stupid as a child.

He says: “When I was at school I really struggled and people called me lazy and thick. I wasn’t, and I know that’s why I’m shouting out to the world – don’t underestimate me.

“I was written off at school and that’s what drives you - you need something that’s driven you.

“I’m dyslexic and I embrace it now. I write phonetically and I read a bit slower than anyone else, but I’ve proved myself.

“It might take me a bit longer to learn something, but it really goes into my soul. I can quote stuff from shows that I’ve done years ago. So, I suppose in a way in my head I’m going: ‘I’m not stupid, look what you’ve done, Brian.’”

A child actor, London-born Brian began his adult career working as a warm-up man for TV stars including Kenny Everett, Terry Wogan and Noel Edmonds.

In his heyday in the ‘80s and ‘90s he had five different TV comedy series, starred in The Grimleys as PE teacher Doug ‘Dynamo’ Digby and then joined EastEnders in 2021.

He is also a talented singer, with five albums to his name, and has starred in a host of hit West Ends shows, including Hairspray, 9-5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Jolson, which saw him pick up the Olivier Award for Best Musical Actor.

Yet despite his enormous success, it took hypnosis from a psychiatrist to help him get over the rejection and ridicule he faced as a child.

He recalls: “I went to hypnotherapy and they took me back to school. I was seven and they were going round the room and the teacher said that every kid had to read from the book.

“It was coming closer to me and I knew there was no way I could read it. I was sweating and everyone was laughing.

“Through hypnosis for a whole hour I was absolutely in that moment. He (the psychiatrist) said: ‘Just put your hands on that little kid’s shoulders and say what you want.’ And that was it, it all came rushing out and I burst into tears.

“But it was amazing; it wiped the slate clean. It was a moment where I could address it and move on.”

If that teacher is around today, he will see Brian wowing audiences in the iconic role of Emmett Brown in Back to the Future The Musical.

Based on the hit 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox, it tells the story of Marty McFly who finds himself transported back to 1955, in a time-travelling DeLorean car built by the eccentric scientist.

“I’ve always been a fan of the movie and it’s a lovely role,” Brian smiles. “I get to sing, it’s very comedic, it has great props, a fabulous story and I get to sit in the DeLorean every night! I jumped at it.”

Brian, who lives in Buckinghamshire with Anne-Marie, his wife of 29 years, and the couple’s two daughters Amy, 28 and Lucy, 24, has won countless awards in his 52-year career. But asked what he believes is his biggest achievement and the answer, surprisingly, is nothing to do with the glitz and glamour of his showbusiness life.

“My biggest achievement is that I haven’t had a drink for 21 years,” he says simply. “When my father died, I started to suffer panic attacks. I went to a psychiatrist and he said that if I really wanted to feel better, I had to give up the booze.

“I was drinking too much. Anyone who’s given up drink has had a slight issue with it. I was self-medicating when my father passed away. I’d drink in the evenings and I thought it helped me sleep.

“I said: ‘Well, I’m going to Antigua on holiday and it’s all-inclusive, so when I come back, I’ll really focus on this drinking thing.’

“He said: ‘Well, won’t there always be a holiday, or a weekend away or a birthday party?’

“So I quit and it’s absolutely put me in good stead with everything else I’ve ever done. My head is clear and I can focus and concentrate.”

Clearly relishing every moment of life, Brian is planning another tour with The Prat Pack in 2026 – the four friends, now all in their 60s, have known each other for more than 40 years.

“We’ve always planned it, we had the name for it, years ago,” Brian explains. “It was an absolute scream. Especially on the tour bus. We had a little six-seater van with a table. Just travelling around together was hilarious.

“Bradley said it was one of the highlights of his entire career and it felt like that to me. I never thought I’d hear those laughs again.

“All we did was take the mick out of each other and how old we all are and whether the audience were only there because they wanted to see us before we died!”

Of course, tour buses have a notorious reputation for wild sex, drugs and rock and roll. Was there a hint of that with the Prat Pack bus?

“God no!” Brian laughs. “All we did was talk about our ailments and what tablets we were on. But it was a lovely way to really get to know each other. It was good for our souls.”

As for any thought of slowing down or retiring, Brian insists he hasn’t even considered it. “It’s a vocation,” he explains.

“It’s a big joke with my family, but I will be on holiday in a hotel in a country where nobody knows me. If there’s a little band in the bar and they’re playing a song that’s in my key I will get up.

“There might only be half a dozen people sitting watching, but I’ll do a bit. It’s not a case of being big-headed and ‘look at me’. It’s just in me. I just want everyone to have a good time.”

Brian Conley stars as Doc Brown in Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre until 3 November 2025. www.backtothefuturemusical.com