Matthew Morrison will be EastEnders' first drag queen

‘Eastenders’ has cast their first drag queen.

Newcomer Matthew Morrison feels “blessed” to have been hired to play Felix Baker, who performs as drag act Tara Misu in the long-running BBC One soap.

In a behind-the-scenes video posted to the show’s Instagram, the 30-year-old actor told veteran star Natalie Cassidy: “I am blessed to have the opportunity to step into the heels of the fierce Tara Misu as part of my role on EastEnders.

“It’s a privilege to represent the LGBTQIA+ community and to showcase the creative art of drag to both viewers at home and the residents of Walford.”

Felix will venture onto Albert Square along with brother Finlay (Ashley Byam) and dad Avery (Omar Lye-Fook), the long-lost brother of established character Mitch Baker - who doesn’t know his nephew is a drag queen - next month.

Matthew admitted to Natalie - who has played nurse Sonia Fowler on and off since 1993 - he had loved the soap for ages and particularly its groundbreaking LGBT storylines.

He said: “The whole arc with Christian and Syed was the one I was most focused on growing up.

“It’s important for people to see themselves reflected on screen. It’s almost like affirmation, if you can see someone like you then it’s OK.”

Matthew called his character’s alter-ego Tara “quite sassy”.

He said: “She’s quite sassy.

“She wants to play the Queen on The Crown but has never could so she has a very Queen-like accent.”

Matthew got some expert tips on how to be a drag queen from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ star Vinegar Strokes, who emphasised the importance of “confidence”.

She said: “First of all, I think it’s all about confidence, you know. I think drag is that kind of invisible superhero cloak.”