Albert Square has seen a flurry of fresh faces and returning favourites in recent years, keeping EastEnders fans on their toes.

One of the major plotlines last year revolved around George Knight, portrayed by Colin Salmon, discovering his true family roots after being adopted as a child. This led to the introduction of his two brothers, Kojo and Kobina, who eventually made their way to London.

Kojo, played by Dayo Koleosho, quickly became a regular character, finding himself embroiled in various dramatic situations, including an attack from Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and striking up a friendship with Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway).

But what about the man behind Kojo? Let’s delve into Dayo’s life off-screen…

Who is Dayo Koleosho?

Born Oludayo Koleosho in 1984 in Stoke Newington, Hackney, Dayo is an autistic actor who has been part of Access All Areas for over two decades.

Access All Areas is a Hackney-based theatre group specifically designed for adults with learning disabilities, overseen by the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Dayo graduated from Access All Areas’ Performance Making Diploma in 2014, but he first stepped into the professional acting world in 2010 with a role in BBC’s Holby City, reports Belfast Live.

What else has Dayo starred in?

Making his break on the small screen, Dayo swiftly nabbed a role in BBC’s Doctors as Michael Dunham, with his Access All Areas classmate Yvonne Swift playing his on-screen wife.

In 2014, Dayo took to the stage for his first theatre tour with Eye Queue Hear in the UK. He has since graced the stage in productions including Behind Closed Drawers, Elexion, Madhouse, Jitney and Imposter 22.

Dayo’s TV career continued to flourish with roles in Holby City, Doctors, Channel 4’s Damned, and BBC drama Strike. In 2023, he joined the cast of Casualty, taking on the character of Jay Henderson in the episode Tinderbox.

Dayo’s EastEnders role

But it’s Dayo’s latest gig that’s truly exciting fans. In 2024, he spiced things up in BBC One’s EastEnders as Kojo Asare, joining the soap on a regular basis.

Kojo and his sibling Kobina (Jonathan Nyati) enter the scene as the long-lost brothers of George Knight. Their search leads them to Walford, and while their quest is fruitful, Kojo makes the decision to stay put in London.

On becoming part of EastEnders’ iconic cast, Dayo expressed his joy: “It’s been absolutely amazing – I’m loving every minute of working with the cast and crew. It’s an incredible storyline for Kojo and his family.”

He added: “It is a dream that has become reality. They are many surprises and I’m taking every opportunity to work creatively with other talented actors.”