Will Smith says he wants to film a cameo role in the British soap Eastenders.

The 41-year-old actor revealed that he had become a fan of the weekday drama during a recent visit to the UK.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I was just chilling in my hotel and EastEnders was on TV. I didn't even know what it was, but I literally could not stop watching it.”

Smith, who is more used to appearing in big Hollywood blockbusters, said he liked the show because it was “so real and gritty” compared to “cheesy” US soaps.

The BBC came under fire in 2003 when it stopped broadcasting Eastenders on BBC America.

It is currently only shown on a subscription satellite channel, but Smith said he would like to see it return to BBC America.

The actor added: “I'm a bit busy but when things quieten down I'd love to do a cameo.

“I could make a big entrance in the pub, as you guys call it, and be like: 'Hey, girl let's take this outside'."