EastEnders favourite issues surprise Wayne Rooney invite after documentary admission

Shaun Williamson has invited Wayne Rooney to join him for his last-ever Barrioke show this year after the football icon admitted he cried at his EastEnders death. Shaun starred in the BBC soap as Barry Evans for 10 years, bowing out in 2004 when he was pushed off a cliff by his scheming wife, Janine Butcher.

Since then, Shaun has hosted his interactive karaoke event, which sees attendees join the actor onstage to belt out classic songs.

This year will mark the final Barrioke event, and Shaun has invited former England ace Wayne as a very special guest, offering to change the name of the show to Rooneyoke for the occasion.

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Why? Because in a clip from Wayne's new docuseries, The Real Rooneys, the football icon admitted that Barry's death in EastEnders moved him to tears.

When the father of four was asked what makes him emotional, he responded: "I cry at everything anyway. I’ve cried over some mad things – Coronation Street, X Factor.

"When Barry got pushed off the hill by Janine in EastEnders, I think I was crying, so I’m pretty sure I would cry at that."

In response, Shaun told The Sun: "I was sent through that screenshot of their show. For all I knew it could have been someone just knocking it up and they’re making it look like he’s saying that.

"It’s really difficult – you’re never quite sure what you’re looking at. It’s crazy isn’t it? At least it’s a reference point if ever I meet him."

He continued: "We’ve had six brilliant years of it. We’ve been so lucky, and we’ve had a blast, but everything needs a rest and maybe bring it back with a different angle or we get Wayne Rooney involved."

The final Barrioke is set to take place on Saturday, 14 November, at Clapham Grand in London.

A description for the event teases: " Get up on stage with the man himself (yeah, really!) and belt out a tune of your choice. As if one man’s redemption arc could get any more joyous, Barry (aka Shaun Williamson) hosts the evening with all the East End wit and self-deprecating charm of his beloved on-screen character.

"The star of EastEnders, Extras, Life’s Too Short, and more recently a million viral videos & hit sets at music festivals like Mighty Hoopla, Shaun Williamson brings us a Karaoke experience like no other."

The Real Rooneys season one is available to stream now on Disney+.

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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