BBC EastEnders’ Jack Branning star’s real love life from famous DJ wife to ‘awkward’ co-star snogs
As EastEnders' Jack Branning reaches a crisis point in his marriage, we take a look at actor Scott Maslen's love life behind the scenes, including his famous DJ wife, and uncomfortable on-set love scenes
EastEnders’ Jack Branning, played by Scott Maslen, certainly has a lot on his plate of late when it comes to romantic matters, with his heart currently being pulled in two different directions.
Although his marriage to Denise Fox (Diane Parish) has long been a turbulent one, things have been particularly rocky of late. Denise remains hopeful that they can work through their myriad of issues in therapy, but regular viewers will no doubt be less than certain.
Indeed, while police officer Jack’s passionate fling with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) may well have stemmed from physical attraction, it’s clear there’s something more between the pair, who just can’t seem to stay away from each other. As Jack considers whether he still wants a future with Denise, we take a look at actor Scott’s love life away from Albert Square.
Scott is smitten with wife Estelle (
mrscottmaslen/Instagram)
The happy couple met while watching the total eclipse of the sun (
mrscottmaslen/Instagram)
Although Jack and Denise aren’t exactly love’s young dream, Scott is happily smitten with multi-talented wife Estelle Rubio, whose works in several creative capacities as a DJ, music producer, and singer-songwriter. Scott, 52, and Estelle, have been a couple since 1999, having met while watching the total eclipse of the sun in Primrose Hill.
In 2008, the couple tied the knot at a stately home in Hertfordshire, attended by EastEnders royalty such as Barbara Windsor, Patsy Palmer, Sid Owen, and Steve McFadden. Breaking into tears at the sight of his gorgeous bride, who arrived wearing a chic Cleopatra-inspired gown, Scott joked: “I really held it together well, didn’t I?”
Opening up about his feelings for Estelle in an exclusive interview with Hello! magazine, Scott said: “I am associated with being a bit of a Jack the Lad because of the parts I play, but I don’t understand people who cheat, and I cannot be with a friend who cheats. I want a long-lasting kind of love and I believe I will have that with Estelle.”
Proud parents Scott and Estelle welcomed son Zack to the world in 2001, and will often update Instagram followers on their various family holidays and celebrations. In one sweet post celebrating Estelle’s birthday, Scott wrote: “Happy birthday @estellerubiomusic my beautiful wife for life! Wishing you the best day.”
When it comes to her music career, Estelle has enjoyed plenty of success in her own right. She’s DJ-d all across the globe while working with some very impressive names, including Basement Jaxx, Clean Bandit, and La Roux.
Awkward kissing scenes
Jack and Ronnie were one of the Square’s most iconic couples (
BBC/Jack Barnes)
Before Denise, Jack’s fiery relationship with the much-missed Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) kept fans on their toes. Although their onscreen relationship was the very definition of tempestuous, however, it’s understood Scott and Samantha have been close friends since their teenage years, making scenes of intimacy all the more awkward.
During a 2020 episode of Secrets from the Square, Scott, who is godfather to Samantha’s two children, Benjamin, and Lily–Rose. revealed: “I’ve known Sam for so long it’s ridiculous. She’s very dear to me. That was a real hard thing coming in as an actor, because I’ve always worked with people that I don’t know. It’s easier in a way when you don’t know them. You have to play against all the other stuff if it’s your mate, you’ve got to go: ‘Oh!’ When we kissed we were both like: ‘Oh god!'”
Speaking with Jonathan Ross back in 2008, Samantha appeared to find such scenes just as excruciating, confessing: “We know each other really well. Our first kissing scene felt really uncomfortable, it was terrible, but we’re over it now.”
