A FORMER EastEnders star has bought Bexleyheath’s version of the Queen Vic after recovering from his brush with death.

Stuart Antony returned to work as the new owner of the Royal Standard in Lion Road on Monday - just six months after suffering a serious head injury which almost killed him.

The 25-year-old, who played Simon White in the BBC soap, was taking down Halloween decorations at his pub in Ash, Kent when he was knocked out by a falling window.

He has been in and out of hospital for seven months but says the nightmare has not put him off boozers and is determined to revive Bexleyheath’s nightlife.

As a child, he spent a lot of time in town near the home of his grandmother in Dartford, and told News Shopper: "It is nice to be back in the area I have grown up in.

“It's good to see people I've known all my life. I enjoy the socialising aspect of running a pub, it's something I've always had an interest in.

“Punters in pubs were really important in shaping my character, especially on EastEnders.”

The actor, who attended Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe, is hoping to turn the pub into trendy nightspot for young revellers.

He began his acting career in the ITV drama The Bill shortly after leaving school before appearing in an array of films, including The Infidel and Mrs Henderson Presents.

The former soap star who has also played alongside Hollywood royalty such as Julia Roberts and Michael Caine, hopes to bring in some live bands to perform and says he looks forward to welcoming back pub regulars.

The actor, who still regularly returns to our TV screens and is currently filming a production backed by the government, hopes to stay at the Royal Standard for a while.

He added: "A few of the EastEnders lot want to come down to the pub."