EASTENDERS actor Ricky Champ was on hand to open a homelessness charity's new pop-up shop and Christmas grotto.

The star, who played Stuart Highway in the BBC soap and also featured in BBC Three sitcom Him and Her, as well as HBO smash hit Game of Thrones, was spotted cutting the ribbon at the new HARP Southend shop.

The shop, in London Road, stocks furniture and festive goods.

HARP is the leading Southend charity helping local people overcome homelessness for good.