EastEnders veteran John Altman, widely known for his portrayal of "Nasty" Nick Cotton, has embarked on a new artistic endeavor at the age of 74, releasing a song titled "Satnav Girl."
The track, which explores a whimsical, intimate relationship with GPS navigation systems, was written and recorded in collaboration with Mark Christopher Lee, the frontman of The Pocket Gods. The song features lyrics such as, "Over the mountains and down to the sea, my satnav girl is always with me. Never argues, she's so much fun. Driving through the rain and under the sun." Another line goes, "Satnav girl I want you in my arms, but I know that will never happen. Look out darling here I come, driving faster than Max Verstappen."
The accompanying music video, produced with AI technology by Guy Thompson, depicts Altman driving and later joined by his "satnav girl." The video culminates with the pair sharing a kiss and driving off into the sunset after a drive-in movie date.
Altman is best recognized for his role as "Nasty" Nick Cotton, the son of Dot Cotton, on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He appeared on the show intermittently from 1985 to 2015. His character, a heroin addict, conman, killer, and thief, was known for his catchphrase "Allo ma!" Nick Cotton's character was notably involved in several dramatic storylines, including murder and nearly poisoning his mother. Though originally conceived as a short-term character, Nick became a lasting figure in the show's history and was ultimately killed off in the 2015 anniversary episode.
Beyond EastEnders, Altman's career has included appearances in adult pantomime, advertisements, reality television shows such as Celebrity Coach Trip, and the BBC travel documentary series The Real Marigold Hotel. He also portrayed George Harrison in a Beatles biopic and had roles in films like Quadrophenia and An American Werewolf in London, with a brief appearance in Return of the Jedi.
Altman published his autobiography, "In the Nick of Time," in 2016. He has also been involved in charity work, supporting organizations such as the Alzheimer's Society and various wildlife charities.
