EastEnders

Gaffney's first appearance as Robbie Jackson in EastEnders aired in December 1993, and he remained in the role for 11 years. In 2003, executive producer Louise Berridge made the decision to axe Gaffney along with the actress Bindya Solanki, who played his on-screen girlfriend Nita Mistry. In a press report, Berridge commented, "We do feel that the characters have reached the end of their natural course in the show, and they will both be leaving in spring 2003".^[4] Gaffney made a further appearance in the soap, returning for a brief visit in 2004 for the wedding of his on-screen half-sister Sonia Jackson (portrayed by Natalie Cassidy).^[5]

On 25 October 2009, it was announced Gaffney would briefly reprise his role as Jackson.^[6] In June 2015, it was announced Gaffney would once again briefly reprise his role as part of Lindsey Coulson's (who played his mother on the show) departure from the show.^[7] On 17 April 2017, it was announced he would return to the soap full-time.^[8] Gaffney was written out of the soap in 2019 amid concerns over his behaviour off-set.^[9]

Other roles

In 1991, Gaffney played the Boy (alternating with another actor) in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in the West End, alongside Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson.^[10]

In November 2006, Gaffney appeared as a guest star on the long-running ITV serial drama The Bill. Gaffney played Gavin Josef, a cocky wide-boy who was connected to an assault investigation.^[11] In 2007, Gaffney toured with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, performing The Unexpected Guest. He played Jan, a 19-year-old murder suspect with learning difficulties.^[12] During Christmas 2011, he appeared in pantomime at the Thurrock Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex.^[13]

In 2015, Gaffney starred as Wishee Washee, in the pantomime Aladdin, staged at The Brindley in Runcorn.^[14]

In November 2022, Gaffney appeared in a charity football match in Chatham, Kent.^[15]

In 2023, he appeared in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa.^[16]