Bosses announced they were bringing back the youngest child of Mick and Linda Carter (Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright) earlier this month, but would be recasting the part after previous actor Sam Strike turned down the chance to reprise the part.
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Ted Reilly is taking over the role of Johnny Carter
Little-known actor Ted will now take over the part, when Johnny returns to Walford later this year.
Speaking of his new role, Ted said: "I’m truly delighted to be joining such an iconic show. The Carters are a fantastic family and I can’t wait to get started!”
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: “Johnny is a key member of the Carter family and he's been missing over the past year and a half, when so much has happened to the Carters.
"As the family embark on their next big storyline to take them through 2016, it felt wrong not to have Johnny back to play a big part in that - and learn everything that has happened while he has been away...
"We have so much in store for Johnny and so many stories to tell and, after massive casting sessions and recalls with Danny and Kellie, we have found in Ted not only a brilliant actor, but the perfect Johnny Carter.”
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Sam Strike previously played Johnny
Fans may recognise Ted from small roles in ‘Call The Midwife’, ‘Casualty’ and ‘Grantchester’, and he has also starred in a number of West End productions.
Johnny was last seen on screen in December 2014, when he left with boyfriend Gianluca to live in Rome. He also missed the Christmas Day revelation that his mum, Linda, had been raped by Dean Wicks and the bombshell that Shirley wasn’t his auntie but his grandma.
"I hope they find lots for Johnny to do and give him lots of stories, and the new actor can have the adventure with Johnny that I would've liked to have before he became stale,” he added.
The character was best known for his emotional coming out scene, where he told dad Mick that he was gay, which won praise from fans and critics alike.
'EastEnders' Recasts
Ben Mitchell (01 of10)
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Played by: Charlie Jones (2006–10), Joshua Pascoe (2010–12) and Harry Reid (2014–).Two other actors also played the troubled youngster back in the '90s, but since returning to Albert Square when Kathy Beale "died" in 2006, these three stars have been tasked with starring as Phil's son. (credit:BBC Pictures)
Lauren Branning(02 of10)
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Played by: Madeline Duggan (2006–10), Jacqueline Jossa (2010–).We loved Madeline, but casting Jacqueline as Lauren was a genius move, and under her careful watch, Lauren's been at the centre of a number of a key storylines, battling alcoholism, figuring out who killed her best friend and welcoming her own baby. (credit:Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images/BBC Pictures)
Bobby Beale (03 of10)
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Played by: Alex Francis (2007–12), Rory Stroud (2013–14), Eliot Carrington (2014–).Yes, we know - we should have solved the 'Who killed Lucy Beale?' case when Bobby was randomly recast as the plot kicked off. The Beale family have proven difficult for the soap's bosses, and all of Ian's kids have been recast at least once. Kevin Curran also starred as Bobby when he was a tot. (credit:BBC Pictures)
Lucy Beale (04 of10)
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Played by: Melissa Suffield (2004–10) and Hetti Bywater (2012–15). Another two actresses also played Lucy in her younger years, but it's Melissa and Hetti that fans will remember (though admittedly, Melissa's Lucy probably won't be remembered for the right reasons...) (credit:BBC Pictures)
Mark Fowler(05 of10)
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Played by: David Scarboro (1985–87) and Todd Carty (1990–2003).Todd took over as Mark following David's death. The character went on to become one of Walford's most-loved residents, and when Todd bid farewell to the soap, viewers said an emotional goodbye. (credit:PETER BROOKER/REX Shutterstock/BBC Pictures)
Sam Mitchell(06 of10)
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Played by: Danniella Westbrook (1990–2000), Kim Medcalf (2002–05) and Danniella (again) (2009–10).In one of the most bizarre recastings ever, Kim played Sam Mitchell, for nearly three years, however when Sam returned to Albert Square in 2009, she'd morphed back into Danniella again. (credit:Dan Wooller/REX Shutterstock/Nils Jorgensen)
Martin Fowler(07 of10)
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Played by: Jon Peyton-Price (1985–96), James Alexandrou (1996–2007) and James Bye (2014–).James II took over the role when Martin returned to the Square in 2014, and admittedly, it did take a while for us to stop wondering where the old James was. (credit:BBC Pictures)
Shabnam Masood(08 of10)
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Played by: Zahra Ahmadi (2007–08) and Rakhee Thakrar (2014–).Rakhee's starred in a number of emotional storylines since joining the soap, and her stillbirth episodes made for some of the most tear-jerking soap scenes of 2015. (credit:BBC Pictures)
Dennis Rickman(09 of10)
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Played by: Harry Hickles (2012–15) and Bleu Landau (2015–).Let's be honest - this was a long time coming. Perhaps now, Denny will actually leave his room and get some much-needed vitamin D. (credit:BBC Pictures)
Peter Beale(10 of10)
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Played by: Every actor in existence. Thomas Law and Ben Hardy are just two in a long line of Peter Beales, as a whooping six actors have tackled the role. Ben is now busy cracking Hollywood, which leaves us wondering whether he'd ever return to the soap. Could another recast be on the cards? (credit:BBC Pictures)