Mario Angelo S Constantinou[1] (born 1 May 1987),[2][3] professionally known as Matt Di Angelo, is a British actor and singer, best known for his role as Dean Wicks in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He also portrayed Sean Kennedy in the BBC drama series Hustle.[4]
Di Angelo's first acting role was as Robbie in the television series Harbour Lights in the episode: "Rites of Passage" which first aired on 28 May 2000. Then he played Felix in the CBBC musical comedy series I Dream in 2004. This resulted in him making a few appearances in the Sunday morning children's TV show Smile. He appeared in the film Telling Lies in 2006.
That same year he began appearing in his best-known role as Deano Wicks in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, he made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that Di Angelo would be leaving EastEnders following the departure of Phil Daniels (who played his on-screen stepfather Kevin Wicks). He described his departure as "a shock".[6] Di Angelo finished filming EastEnders 12 December 2007 and his last appearance in the series aired on 7 February 2008.
On 20 April 2009, Di Angelo's agent announced on their website[8] that he would be filming a guest role in Casualty. This will be the series two-part finale 'No Fjords in Finland' which is due to air on Saturday 25 July and Saturday 1 August 2009. The agent advised that he was busy recording a new pilot show called Fried Brain Sandwich about a stand up comedian, to be directed by Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered and Drop the Dead Donkey).
On 21 July 2009, Di Angelo's agent announced on their website that he would be playing the lead role of Jack Stradler in the low-budget film Following Footsteps. He films throughout August for Perry Pictures.[9]
Earlier in the year Di Angelo supported 'A Night Less Ordinary' a free ticket scheme for young people launched by Arts Council England in February 2009.[10]
In May 2010, Di Angelo was filming Whiskey Robber for Parallel Pictures and series 7 of Hustle.[11]
In April 2014, Di Angelo returned to EastEnders, to reprise the role as Dean Wicks.[13] In October 2015, it was announced that he would once again be leaving EastEnders.[14] His last episode was on 5 February 2016.
On 30 March 2016, it was announced that Di Angelo had been cast in the second series of Ordinary Lies.[15] Filming began in Cardiff, Wales on 21 March 2016.
Strictly Come Dancing
In 2007, Di Angelo competed as a contestant in series 5 of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was partnered with professional dancer Flavia Cacace. He and Cacace finished the competition as the runners-up, losing to Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler. They later competed in the 2007 Christmas special of the show, landing in third place.
They also competed together in the Strictly Come Dancing live arena tour from January to February 2008, and had won more shows than any other couple by coming first overall sixteen times and second ten times.[16]