Jase Dyer

Lord, in his first role, began filming for EastEnders in June 2007 one month before his casting announcement, and made his first episode broadcast on 19 July 2007.

Beginning in the serial on July as a man in his mid-thirties, Jase arrives as the father of Jay Brown (played by Jamie Borthwick).

Lord was nominated for the Best Newcomer category at the 2008 British Soap Awards for his portrayal of Jase, though lost out to Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre).

Jase was killed off in the serial, making his final credited appearance (as a corpse) in an episode aired on 29 August 2008, after being subsequently murdered by his antagonistic gang leader, Terry Bates (Nicholas Ball).

When Jay discovers his father has been in prison, he reacts badly and is arrested for carving "LIAR" into a bus shelter, referring to Jase's lies about where he had been all his life.

Meanwhile, a heavily pregnant Honey calls the police and steps in to stop Jase being attacked; however, in retaliation, she is assaulted by the gang, after being caught-up in a violent siege.

Following a brief fling with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), Jase begins a more serious relationship with Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon), whom he later proposes to.

Dawn is initially furious, but despite realising that he is involved in criminal activity, she makes no attempt to stop him as she is desperate to keep the money and get the wedding of her dreams.

When they arrive back at the flat in search of Jay, Jase and Billy are greeted by Terry and his men wielding baseball bats.

He is later cremated on 7 October 2008, with Jay, Dawn, Darren Miller (Charlie G. Hawkins), Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves), Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi) and Billy attending the funeral.

Viv Bates (Dido Miles), Terry's wife, and his gang, threaten Billy into staying away from the court case by kidnapping Jay for security measures.

[1] Kris Green of Digital Spy reported Lord was cast in the recurring role of Jase Dyer, father of established character Jay Brown played by Jamie Borthwick.

Stephen Lord is an actor of great talent and charisma, and I hope that his character Jase will attract, intrigue and entertain the audience in equal measure.

"[1] During an interview with a What's on TV writer, Lord explained that Jase comes to Walford to see his son and he admitted that both Jay and his father-in-law, Bert Atkinson (Dave Hill), are shocked by his appearance.

Keeping Jay on the straight and narrow proved to be a full-time job for the softly spoken ex-con – but he still found time for a bit of extra-curricular.

[7] Saving Dawn's baby Summer by catching her at a first floor from a burning house window at the hands of baby-stealer borderline psychopath Dr. May Wright (Amanda Drew).

[11] A spokesperson stated "Jase is trying is hardest to turn the corner – he's paid his dues courtesy of Her Majesty but his former thuggish cronies are persistent.

It may also make him think he's got his priorities wrong and that he should have been looking out for Jay instead of spending so much time with Dawn...[17] He also added "After his romance with Roxy ended Jase's head has been well and truly turned.

[7][25][26] Lord explained in an interview that The night before the wedding he's supposed to do a job with Billy but at the last minute he's struck by the fact that he's got responsibilities and he shouldn't be doing this.

[18] It was reported in July 2008 on the website Inside Soap that bride-to-be Dawn will be devastated his fiancée Jase will be dead on his wedding day.

[30][31] Lord also mentioned during an interview on What's on TV "His exit was all filmed in a very dramatic and moving way with Jase imagining he's with his son as he's on the operating table".

Later, the character's dead body was seen by viewers in hospital scenes which featured Jase's son Jay Brown, played by Jamie Borthwick.

[37] His death turns in devastation as Jay lashes out at Dawn as he struggles to cope with the aftermath of his father's brutal murder by a criminal gang.

When Jase's fiancée Dawn asks to say a few words about him, his son Jay objects and announces to the mourners that it's her fault that his father is dead.

[14] For his portrayal of Jase, Lord was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2008 British Soap Awards but lost out to Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre).

"[1][3] The Daily Mirror's Nicola Methven and Polly Hudson branded Jase a "beefcake" and "the new Albert Square hunk who will soon be breaking Walford hearts.

[39] Kris Green writing for Digital Spy commented that Jase may have is eye on the women, Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) and Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton).

[40] Nancy Banks-Smith of The Guardian Looking on the bright side of death, it offered Jason's young son, Jay (Jamie Borthwick), a chance to steal the show, which he duly did with a touching torrent of grief.

The BBC complaints stated "While we acknowledge that this was a particularly dramatic episode, we were very careful to make sure that any actual violence was implied rather than explicit, and it was made clear from the outset that Jase's life was in serious jeopardy,".

[43] Inside Soap asked their readers who they thought Roxy should be with out of Jase, Max Branning (Jake Wood), Deano Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) and Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky).