Johnny Allen

"I'M STILL WHO I AM! I'M STILL WHO I AM!"

- Johnny Allen Jonathon "Johnny" Allen was one of the most ruthless and dangerous antagonists featured in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Appearing from 2005 to 2006, Johnny was a businessman and gangster who relentlessy spread pain and misery in order to maintain the upper hand against his enemies, often having brothers Jake and Danny Moon doing his dirty work.

He was portrayed by Billy Murray.

Background
Born to and raised by an impoverished family in the 1940s, Johnny Allen was educated grew up in Walford, becoming familiar with the local residents, including the Beale Family and Den Watts. At an early age, he became a boxer and quickly became involved with the criminal underworld; by the early 50s, he was an up-and-coming gangster and employer to well-known prostiture Pat Harris, with whom he had several flings with until she went on to marry Pete Beale in 1961.

By the late 60s, Johnny also employed fellow boxer Eric Mitchell. Jealous at Eric for being a more talented boxer than himself, Johnny began bullying him, starting a strong feud between the two men. Eric's wife Peggy, fed up wth her husband's abuse, tried to seduce Johnny, but he rejected her. Eventually, Johnny became notorius in London's underworld for his frequent use of torture and murder, even on his own employees.

In order to expand his business empire, J.A. Enterprises, Johnny left Walford some time around the early 70s, but still carried out criminal jobs from his mansion in Essex. Some time later, he married a woman named Stephanie, and together they had two daughters, Scarlett (born in 1986) and Ruby (born in 1988). However, in 1994, Johnny began an affair with a bar maid under his employment, Tina Stewart, despite being many years her elder. Tragedy struck the Allen family in March 2004, when an arson attack commited by one of Johnny's criminal rivals killed Stephanie and Scarlett, leaving Ruby the only family he had left.