List of East Enders Characters (1990) - John Royle

John Royle, played by Paddy Joyce, is the widowed father of Eddie Royle (Michael Melia) — the publican of The Queen Victoria public house. He first appears in Walford in August 1990 when he comes to visit his son. John is a wily Irishman and a retired metal worker. In his youth, he was a talented footballer and could have played professionally if he'd wanted to leave Dublin, which he didn't.

He is often the life and soul of the party in Walford, and is known to like a pint of Guinness or two. He is a perfect pal for the other seniors on the Square — Jules Tavernier (Tommy Eytle) and Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin). He is often seen engaging in a game of poker with Jules. On one occasion Jules manages to thrash John, but is mortified when John pays the winnings in chickens instead of money. Mo Butcher (Edna Doré) ends up taking them back to her family's Bed and Breakfast.

John is very proud of his son and will not get mixed up in anything that will have earn his disapproval. John shows up periodically to visit Eddie, and on one occasion he brings Eddie's ex-girlfriend, Eibhlin O'Donnell (Mary Conlon), with him. Unfortunately, John's timing couldn't have been worse, as her arrival spells the end of his son's relationship with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). However, within a few months, Eddie has changed his mind and asks Eibhlin to marry him.

Eddie is murdered by Nick Cotton (John Altman) in September 1991, and John is devastated to lose his pride and joy, especially in such horrific circumstances.

After this time, John is not seen in Walford until January 1993, when he attends the trial of Nick Cotton. He has found the death of his son hard to get over and he hopes that seeing justice served to his son's killer will bring closure. He is horrified and inconsolable, however, when the verdict comes back as not guilty.