Bobby Brazier didn’t know all that much about Zoe Slater when actress Michelle Ryan reprised the role after 20 years, he confessed to The Mirror. But the actor, who plays Zoe’s cousin Freddie Slater, shared he’s very fond of his new soap pal.

While they haven’t filmed together for very long, Bobby told us that he and Michelle have developed “a nice working relationship” and that they’re getting on well. Fans had wondered whether Freddie and Zoe would bond over similar experiences on the BBC soap, with actor Bobby addressing this, while praising his co-star.

Bobby wasn’t even born when the Slater family hit Walford, and he would have been very young when Zoe departed the soap so it’s understandable why his Zoe Slater knowledge is minimal. But the star hopes his character can be there for his loved ones at a difficult time.

Speaking at the National Television Awards, he confessed: “My experience of Zoe being backs is… I didn’t know about her before, in terms of the role she played and the story and all that.” We joked it showed our age and he agreed, all in good humour though.

But Zoe knowledge aside, Bobby had nothing but praise for his co-star and their newfound friendship. He told us: “Michelle is very, very nice. And we have developed a nice working relationship in a short amount of time.

“She is always happy to run the lines. I like her. Chelle, she likes to go by.” We also asked Bobby whether similar experiences for the two characters could see them sympathise with each other, and maybe grow closer.

Zoe has been estranged from her family for years, and feeling very isolated she would no doubt like a person to turn to. Fans will recall, as recently revisited on screen, that Zoe’s mother Kat was raped when she was a teenager by her uncle Harry Slater.