Jaden Ladega
{{Short description|English actor (born 2005)}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=March 2025}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jaden Ladega
| image = Jaden Ladega 2023.jpg
| caption = Ladega in 2023
| birth_name = Jaden Luke Ladega
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|10|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sutton, Greater London, England
| education = St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School
Richard Challoner School
| alma_mater = North East Surrey College of Technology
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2022–present
| known_for = Role of Denzel Danes in EastEnders
| partner = Lucy Pestill (2022–2024; her death)
| signature = Jaden Ladega's signature.jpg
}}
Jaden Luke Ladega (born 28 October 2005) is an English actor. He is best known for his role of Denzel Danes in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders (2022–present).
Early life
Jaden Luke Ladega was born in Sutton, Greater London, England on 28 October 2005,{{Cite web |last=Tulloch |first=Sarah |date=6 March 2024 |title=BBC EastEnders' Denzel star Jaden Ladega's life off screen including co-star pal |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/bbc-eastenders-denzel-star-jaden-32289767.amp |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=OK! Magazine}} as the elder child to Andrew Babatunde Ladega (born 1976), a personal trainer,{{Cite web |title=Andrew Ladega |url=https://copt.org.uk/pt-listing/andrew-ladega |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=The Council of Personal Trainers}} and his second wife, Doreen Desire "Denisha" (née Quirin; born 1976). He has a younger brother, Jenson (born 2013). His parents later divorced.{{Cite web |last=Tulloch |first=Sarah |last2=Hart |first2=Peter |date=8 July 2024 |title=EastEnders fans gobsmacked as they realise they've been holidaying with Denzel star Jaden Lageda |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-pictures/eastenders-fans-gobsmacked-realise-theyve-33166322.amp |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=OK! Magazine}}
Ladega attended St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School in Worcester Park, and Richard Challoner School in New Malden. In June 2022, he was the recipient of a Creative Arts Award for his contributions to Richard Challoner School's drama department. He completed his training in acting at North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) in Epsom and Ewell.{{Cite web |title=Meet our Nescot Students |url=https://www.nescot.ac.uk/meet-our-students |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Nescot}}{{Cite web |title=Nescot alumni |url=https://www.nescot.ac.uk/alumni |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Nescot}}
Ladega started running competitively for his school in the Surrey Championships at the age of six, and competed annually in Coulsdon, Carshalton, and Wimbledon.{{Cite web |title=Jaden Ladega |url=https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=881276 |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=power of 10}} He began acting in drama clubs, and made short films using his phone and a green screen. He appeared regularly in musical theatre productions at school, including in the Lionel Bart stage musical Oliver! and the Howard Ashman horror comedy rock musical Little Shop of Horrors. He has acted in several works of William Shakespeare at the Rose Theatre Kingston.{{Cite web |title=Jaden Ladega |url=https://www.starnow.com/u/jadenladega/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=StarNow}}
Career
Ladega made his debut as an actor, at the age of 16, with the role of Denzel Danes in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders. His casting was announced on 6 June 2022. He started filming a few days later. Denzel makes his first appearance in episode 6531, originally broadcast on 2 August 2022,{{Cite news |date=2 August 2022 |title=EastEnders - 02/08/2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0019tyn/eastenders-02082022?seriesId=unsliced&page=5 |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=BBC iPlayer}} and is introduced as the son of Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) and Delilah (Chereen Buckley).{{Cite web |last=Bateman |first=Charlotte |date=28 August 2022 |title=BBC EastEnders: Delroy Atkinson teases 'dark side' to Howie as his son Denzel arrives in Walford |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-delroy-atkinson-teases-24874069.amp |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=My London |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Dainty |first=Sophie |date=1 August 2022 |title=EastEnders reveals Howie Danes secret in new episodes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a40768009/eastenders-spoilers-howie-danes-secret-revealed/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Stephen |date=1 August 2022 |title=EastEnders reveals Howie's major secret at last |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/01/eastenders-reveals-howies-major-secret-at-last-17103886/amp/ |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=Metro |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Stephen |date=2 August 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Kim Fox stunned as Howie Danes' secret son Denzel arrives – and moves in! |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/02/eastenders-spoilers-kim-stunned-as-howies-secret-son-denzel-arrives-and-moves-in-17114653/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Metro}}{{cite magazine |last1=White |first1=Kate |date=27 August - 2 September 2022 |title='People keep telling me I better treat Kim right!' |magazine=Inside Soap |pages=44–45 |issue=35}} His character's storylines have included befriending Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury),{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Michael |date=10 May 2024 |title=Amy is disgusted as an EastEnders local makes a sudden pass at her |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/10/amy-disgusted-eastenders-local-makes-a-sudden-pass-20793770/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Denby |first=Laura |date=3 July 2024 |title=EastEnders character makes big confession in early BBC iPlayer |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-denzel-confession-nugget-ravi-newsupdate/ |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} bullying Amy Mitchell (Abbie Burke),{{Cite web |last=Haasler |first=Sue |date=2 August 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Chelsea stands up for struggling teen Amy |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/02/eastenders-spoilers-chelsea-stands-up-for-struggling-teen-amy-17077702/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Steven |date=2 August 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers reveal deadly fight that leaves one person lifeless |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/eastenders-spoilers-jean-return-stacey-27609263.amp |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=OK! Magazine |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Haasler |first=Sue |date=3 August 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Teenager Amy falls for Howie's son Denzel |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/03/eastenders-spoilers-teenager-amy-falls-for-howies-son-denzel-17077677/amp/ |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=Metro |language=en-GB}} moving in with his father and stepmother Kim Fox (Tameka Empson),{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=15 April 2023 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Kim's exit revealed as Howie has her jailed? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/04/15/eastenders-spoilers-kims-exit-teased-as-she-fears-prison-18556306/amp/ |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=Metro |language=en-GB}} beginning a relationship with Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd),{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=15 September 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Denzel falls for Amy after weeks of tormenting her |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/15/eastenders-spoilers-denzel-falls-for-amy-after-tormenting-her-17300149/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Haasler |first=Sue |date=25 September 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Jack's terror as he catches Amy and Denzel alone together |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/25/eastenders-spoilers-jack-catches-amy-and-denzel-alone-together-17380868/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=10 October 2022 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Amy plans to sleep with Denzel but is she truly ready? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/10/eastenders-spoilers-amy-plans-to-sleep-with-denzel-but-is-she-ready-17518512/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=14 May 2024 |title=Broken teen Amy Mitchell has devastating experience as she and Denzel Danes try to have sex in EastEnders |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/14/devastating-experience-amy-denzel-try-sex-eastenders-20835039/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Mensah |first=Katelyn |date=17 July 2024 |title=EastEnders' Ellie Dadd and Jaden Ladega on the future of Amy and Denzel |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/ellie-dadd-jaden-ladega-amy-denzel-future-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Radio Times}} fighting for his life in hospital following a car accident with his stepmother,{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=27 March 2023 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Kim kills Denzel in horrific crash? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/27/eastenders-spoilers-will-denzel-die-after-kims-car-crash-18477277/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |date=27 March 2023 |title=EastEnders death fears for Denzel Danes after horror crash |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a43428989/eastenders-spoilers-denzel-death-fears/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Brenna |date=5 April 2023 |title=EastEnders' Denzel reveals the cause of Kim's car crash to Howie |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a43521226/eastenders-denzel-kim-car-crash-howie/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}} being attacked by Walford High student Logan (Liam Hatch),{{Cite web |last=Baalla |first=Sara |date=24 January 2024 |title=EastEnders confirms new story for Denzel Danes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a46514642/eastenders-denzel-danes-new-story/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=30 January 2024 |title=EastEnders actor playing teenage boy responds to claims he is too old for the role |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/01/30/eastenders-actor-playing-teen-responds-claims-old-20192805/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Jamshidian |first=Harry |date=6 April 2024 |title=Penarth Anytime Fitness trainer appearing in EastEnders |url=https://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/24233633.penarth-anytime-fitness-trainer-appearing-eastenders/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Penarth Times}} taking up boxing, developing muscle dysmorphia, and purchasing steroids.{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Harriet |date=27 February 2024 |title=EastEnders reveals worrying twist in Denzel Danes story |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a46994696/eastenders-spoilers-denzel-danes-twist/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Michael |date=1 March 2024 |title=EastEnders spoilers: Teen turns to steroids in shock story after cruel body-shame |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/01/eastenders-spoilers-teen-turns-steroids-cruel-body-shaming-20358443/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Sarkisian |first=Jacob |date=4 March 2024 |title=EastEnders confirms Denzel Danes steroids storyline |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a60078671/eastenders-confirms-denzel-danes-steroids-storyline/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Spackman |first=Maisie |date=4 March 2024 |title=EastEnders confirms steroid storyline for main character |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/04/eastenders-confirms-steroid-storyline-main-character-20395704/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Denby |first=Laura |date=4 March 2024 |title=EastEnders confirms steroid story for struggling teen Denzel Danes |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-steroid-story-denzel-danes-newsupdate/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Radio Times}} He appeared during the 40th Anniversary Week in February 2025.{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Joe |last2=Kilkelly |first2=Daniel |date=11 September 2024 |title=EastEnders star Jaden Ladega teases "never been done" storyline |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a62158048/eastenders-jaden-ladega-never-been-done-storyline/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Percival |first=Ash |date=19 February 2025 |title=Every EastEnders character still inside The Queen Vic when it exploded in horrifying stunt |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/02/19/every-eastenders-character-still-inside-queen-vic-exploded-horrifying-stunt-22586522/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Lewis |date=6 March 2025 |title=EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-cast/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Radio Times}}{{Cite web |last=Rigney |first=Catriona |last2=Johns |first2=Victoria |date=24 February 2025 |title=EastEnders stars party until 4am on wild night out as they celebrate after live episode |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/eastenders-stars-party-until-4am-34741234.amp |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=OK! Magazine |language=en-GB}}
Ladega has been represented by Rebecca Pumphrey from Independent Talent Group since June 2022.{{Cite web |title=Jaden Ladega |url=https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/jaden-ladega/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Independent Talent}}
Charity work
Ladega participated in the second Tom Parker charity football match at Dorking Wanderers F.C.'s Meadowbank football stadium on 16 June (Father's Day) 2024, to raise funds and spread awareness of brain tumors.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Tina |date=6 June 2024 |title=Tom Parker's widow Kelsey gives The Wanted her blessing to continue band without him |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/kelsey-parker-interview-gives-the-wanted-blessing-continue-band-charity-football-match-2024-fathers-day-b1162691.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Standard}}
Personal life
Ladega supports the Premier League football team Arsenal F.C. and often visits the Emirates Stadium in Holloway, London. He has a dog called Kirby (born 2021).
On 12 October 2024, Ladega's girlfriend, Lucy May Pestill (born 28 January 2005), who was exactly nine months his senior, died at her home in Carshalton, Surrey, at the age of 19. The couple started dating in November 2022. She was a distant relative of the actor Tony Selby.{{Cite web |date=10 March 2025 |title=Tribute to Lucy May Pestill, 2005 - 2024 |url=https://lucypestill.muchloved.com/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=MuchLoved}}{{Cite web |date=11 March 2025 |title=Visit Lucy May Pestill's Memorial Website |url=https://everloved.com/life-of/lucy-pestill/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=EverLoved}} On 20 October 2024, less than two weeks after the death of his girlfriend, he announced the death of his great-aunt Marie.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Lauren |date=21 October 2024 |title=EastEnders star Jaden Ladega shares devastating family tragedy - 'This is hard to put into words' |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/eastenders-star-jaden-ladega-shares-33939509.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=OK! Magazine}}{{Cite web |last=Akimwumi |first=Stella |date=22 October 2024 |title='This is hard': EastEnders star shares upsetting family loss |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/10/22/eastenders-star-shares-upsetting-family-loss-this-hard-21840834/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes !{{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| 2022–present
|Regular role | style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web |title=Jaden Ladega - BBC Programme Index |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=first&q=Jaden+Ladega |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=BBC}}{{Cite web |title=Jaden Ladega |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jaden_ladega |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}} |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Ceremony !Award !Nominated works !Result |
| rowspan="3" |2024
|Best Young Performer | rowspan="3" |Denzel Danes in EastEnders |{{nom}} |
| National Television Awards
|Serial Drama Performance |{{nom}} |
| Inside Soap Awards
|Best Young Performer |{{nom}} |
Ladega was longlisted for "Best Young Performer" at the 2024 RadioTimes.com Soap Awards,{{Cite web |last=Sansome |first=Jessica |date=9 May 2024 |title=Coronation Street stars to be joined in Manchester by soap 'rivals' as award nominations revealed |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-street-stars-joined-manchester-29134544.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Helen |date=9 May 2024 |title=RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 nominations revealed |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/radiotimes-com-soap-awards-2024-nominations-revealed-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Radio Times}}{{Cite web |last=Sansome |first=Jessica |date=23 May 2024 |title=Former BBC EastEnders star heading to Manchester as soap awards in city name host |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/former-bbc-eastenders-star-heading-29218478.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Manchester Evening News}} however, he lost to Charlie Wrenshall (Liam Connor Jr., Coronation Street).{{Cite web |date=13 July 2024 |title=RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tag/radiotimes-com-soap-awards-2024/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Radio Times}}{{Cite web |last=Sansome |first=Jessica |date=13 July 2024 |title=Radio Times Soap Awards 2024 winners in full as one soap dominates |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/radio-times-soap-awards-2024-29536008.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite web |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |date=13 July 2024 |title=RadioTimes.com Soap Awards winners: Full list revealed |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/radiotimes-com-soap-awards-2024-winners-full-list-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Radio Times}} He was longlisted for "Serial Drama Performance" at the 2024 National Television Awards,{{Cite web |last=Rowan |first=Iona |date=21 May 2024 |title=Death in Paradise, Doctor Who, Baby Reindeer and more make NTAs longlist |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60852702/nta-2024-longlist-doctor-who-baby-reindeer/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Joseph |last2=Tonks |first2=Phoebe |date=21 May 2024 |title=National Television Awards 2024 longlist: Coleen Rooney's Wagatha goes head to head with David Beckham |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/national-television-awards-2024-longlist-29208983.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Liverpool Echo}}{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Joseph |last2=Tonks |first2=Phoebe |date=21 May 2024 |title=National Television Awards 2024 longlist: Michelle Keegan, Jason Manford and Corrie up for gongs |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/national-television-awards-2024-longlist-29208964.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite web |last=Hibbs |first=James |date=21 May 2024 |title=NTAs 2024 longlist revealed – Mr Bates, Death in Paradise and more |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/national-television-awards-2024-longlist/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Radio Times}}{{Cite web |date=21 May 2024 |title=NTAs 2024 longlist revealed as Mr Bates, Death in Paradise and Baby Reindeer named |url=https://virginradio.co.uk/entertainment/146089/ntas-2024-longlist-mr-bates-death-in-paradise-baby-reindeer |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Virgin Radio UK}} however, he lost to Peter Ash (Paul Foreman, Coronation Street).{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=David |date=11 September 2024 |title=National Television Awards 2024 winners revealed – full list |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/national-television-awards-2024-winners-full-list-newsupdate/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Radio Times}} He was longlisted for "Best Young Performer" at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards,{{Cite web |last=Harp |first=Justin |date=15 July 2024 |title=Emmerdale's Tom and Belle story and EastEnders' Six drama among Inside Soap Award nominees |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a61602668/inside-soap-awards-nominations-2024/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}{{cite magazine |last1=Timms |first1=Chloe |date=20–26 July 2024 |title=Cast your vote now! Inside Soap Awards 2024 |magazine=Inside Soap |pages=49–52 |issue=29}} however, he lost to Charlie Wrenshall (Liam Connor Jr., Coronation Street).{{Cite web |last=Sarrubba |first=Stefania |date=30 September 2024 |title=Coronation Street wins big at the Inside Soap Awards 2024 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a62449800/coronation-street-inside-soap-awards-2024/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Digital Spy}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|13898818}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ladega, Jaden}}
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:Actors from the London Borough of Sutton
Category:Male actors from London
Category:English male child actors
Category:English male soap opera actors
Category:English male television actors
Category:English soap opera actors