Jaden Luke Ladega (born 28 October 2005) is an English actor. He is known for his role of Denzel Danes in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders (2022–present).
Early life
Jaden Luke Ladega was born into a Roman Catholic family in Sutton, Greater London, England on 28 October 2005,
as the elder child to Andrew Babatunde Ladega, a personal trainer at
PureGym London
Wandsworth on Wandsworth High Street,
and his wife, Doreen Desire "Denisha" (
née Quirin), a housewife.
He has a younger brother called Jenson. His parents later divorced.
Ladega attended St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School in Worcester Park
Ladega started running competitively for his primary school in the Surrey Championships at the age of six, and competed annually in Coulsdon, Wimbledon, and Carshalton. He joined Sutton and District Athletics Club's weekly program for children of all abilities at the age of nine, and, at the age of eleven, he was promoted at a competitive level in the under 13s. He participated in the 60 metres, the 100 metres, the 200 metres, the high jump, and the long jump.
Career
Ladega has been represented by Rebecca Pumphrey
from Independent Talent Group since June 2022.
He made his professional debut as an actor, at the
Child actor,
when he joined the cast of the
BBC One soap opera
EastEnders, with the role of
Denzel Danes.
His casting was announced on 6 June 2022. He started
Cinematography a few days later. Denzel makes his first appearance in episode 6531, originally broadcast on
BBC Two on 2 August 2022,
and is introduced as the son of
Howie Danes (
Delroy Atkinson).
Denzel arrives in
Walford with his mother, Delilah (Chereen Buckley), who arranges for him to live with his father and stepmother,
Kim Fox (
Tameka Empson), while she is away in
Ibiza.
His character was introduced by
Chris Clenshaw.
His character's storylines have included befriending Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury),
bullying
Amy Mitchell (
Abbie Burke)
before beginning a relationship with her (
Ellie Dadd),
fighting for his life in hospital following a car accident with his stepmother,
being attacked by Walford High student Logan (Liam Hatch),
taking up
boxing, developing muscle dysmorphia, purchasing
, and erectile dysfunction.
He appeared throughout the 40th Anniversary Week during February 2025,
including in the double episode and in the
Live television.
Charity work
Ladega participated in the second annual Tom Parker football match at Dorking Wanderers F.C.'s Meadowbank stadium on 16 June (Father's Day) 2024, to
Fundraising and spread awareness of brain tumours.
He participated in the third annual football match at Bromley F.C.'s
Hayes Lane stadium on 10 May 2025.
Personal life
Ladega supports the Premier League football team Arsenal F.C. and has visited
Emirates Stadium in Holloway, London, on several occasions. He has a dog named Kirby "Kirbs" ().
On 20 October 2024, he announced the death of his great-aunt Marie.
Filmography
Awards and nominations
|
| 2024 | RadioTimes.com Soap Awards | Best Young Performer | Denzel Danes in EastEnders | |
| 29th National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | |
| Inside Soap Awards | Best Young Performer | |
Ladega was nominated for "Best Young Performer" at the 2024 RadioTimes.com Soap Awards,
External links
