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Tony Clay

Tony David Clay (born 8 August 1991 in , ) is an English actor best known for portraying the character Callum "Halfway" Highway, a , in the EastEnders since its New Year episodes in 2018. He has become a prominent figure in British television through his long-running role, which has featured major storylines such as his character's struggle with his sexuality, marriage to Ben Mitchell, and involvement in dramatic events like a shooting incident and family conflicts in Albert Square. Clay trained at (ArtsEd) in , where he earned a BA in in 2013, following earlier studies at the Miskin Theatre. His breakthrough came with , but he had prior television credits including the role of Woody in the second series of Sky1's Lucky Man (2016) and Carter in an episode of ITV's (2015). On film, he appeared as the Sale Sign Man in Debbie Tucker-Green's The Second Coming (2014) and starred as Kieran in the short An Ordinary Life. In theatre, notable performances include Sgt Tinley in at the with a tour, Locke in Lines at the Yard Theatre, and Jayson in at the Bush Theatre. As of 2025, Clay continues to appear as Callum Highway, with recent plotlines involving love triangles, surprise returns, and ongoing police work in , contributing to the soap's exploration of LGBTQ+ themes and community dynamics. Represented by Waring McKenna, he stands at 6 feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes, and has also featured in music videos such as Jacob Banks' "Chainsmoking."

Early and personal life

Early life

Tony Clay was born on 8 August 1991 in , , , to parents Christopher and Suzanne Clay. After his schooling, he studied at the Miskin Theatre and later earned a BA in from () in in 2013. He grew up in the London Borough of in a supportive household, remaining particularly close to his parents during his formative years. Clay is the eldest of three siblings, with two younger sisters, Christina (born 1995) and Chelsea (born 2004).

Personal life

Tony Clay has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Olivia Griffin, since August 2016. The couple marked their six-year anniversary in 2022, sharing glimpses of their celebrations on . Clay and Griffin reside in the London area, where they maintain a low-key away from the demands of his acting schedule. Outside of his professional commitments, Clay enjoys traveling and often posts about his trips on , offering fans occasional insights into his personal adventures.

Career

Early career

After completing his secondary education, Tony Clay pursued formal training at the Arts Educational Schools in , graduating with a BA in in 2013. During his studies, he gained initial stage experience through student productions, including a role as in Someone Who'll Watch Over Me directed by . Clay's screen debut came shortly before graduation with the role of Kieran in the 2012 An Ordinary Life, a drama exploring themes of family caregiving produced by Good Guy Productions. Following his degree, he took on minor film and television roles, beginning with the Cash-4-Gold Sign Man in the 2014 short The Second Coming, followed by Rex Carter in the series episode "Elise" (2015), portraying a young suspect in a wartime . Clay continued building his resume with supporting stage work after graduation, including a role in The Machine Wreckers at the Miskin Theatre and as Sergeant Tinley in Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars at the Abbey Theatre with a US tour including the American Repertory Theater in 2016. His early television momentum grew in 2017 with the part of Woody Gilbert, a computer-savvy associate, in series two of Sky1's Stan Lee's Lucky Man. These foundational experiences in film, television, and theatre paved the way for his breakthrough casting in EastEnders.

EastEnders role

Tony Clay joined the cast of the soap opera in 2018, portraying Callum "Halfway" Highway, a former introduced as a friend of the Carter family who arrives in transporting stolen goods for a . Clay temporarily departed the role in September 2018 before returning in December 2019. His initial storylines explored Callum's military background, including the nickname "Halfway" from his abbreviated army service, and his struggles with post-service life, such as involvement in criminal activities and a romance with that culminates in an engagement. However, following the death of his army comrade and first love in a car crash, Callum comes out as gay, ending his engagement to and beginning a relationship with Ben Mitchell. Over the subsequent years, Callum's arcs deepened his integration into Walford's dynamics, including joining the police force and receiving a promotion to Trainee Detective Constable in 2023, where he navigates workplace challenges like derogatory nicknames from colleagues and investigations that strain friendships, such as probing CCTV footage linked to Ravi Gulati. His relationship with Ben progresses significantly, leading to their marriage in May 2021 amid ongoing family tensions, including the introduction of Callum's brothers Stuart and Vinny Highway, who bring conflicts over their shared criminal past and family loyalties. By 2025, with Ben imprisoned in America on fraud charges, Callum embarks on an affair with Johnny Carter, forming a love triangle that escalates when they share a kiss witnessed by Kathy Beale, who informs the Mitchell family, ultimately leading to the dissolution of Callum's marriage. The couple then attempts to build a life together, facing resistance from Ben's daughter Lexi Pearce—who overhears gossip about the affair—and the broader Mitchell clan, while exploring business ventures that test their bond, such as Johnny's partnership with a suspicious ex-client named Tim. Clay's portrayal of Callum has markedly elevated his career visibility, marking his breakthrough into sustained prominence in British television since 2018, with over 650 episodes by 2025. The character's LGBTQ+ storylines, including his coming-out journey, marriage to Ben (affectionately dubbed "Ballum" by fans), and participation in a 2020 Pride-themed episode, have garnered positive public reception for advancing representation in the soap, with Clay noting the real-life inspirational impact on viewers grappling with similar experiences. This visibility extended to spin-off content, such as Clay's appearance in the 2020 series EastEnders: Secrets from the Square, where he and co-star Max Bowden discussed the "Ballum" pairing's evolution and classic scenes alongside host Stacey Dooley.

Filmography

Television roles

Tony Clay made his television debut in the historical drama series , appearing as Rex Carter, a troubled young soldier entangled in a post-World War II investigation, in an episode aired in 2015. In 2017, he guest-starred in the superhero thriller as Woody Gilbert, a tech-savvy associate aiding the in a high-stakes criminal case across multiple episodes. Clay gained prominence with his ongoing role as Callum "Halfway" Highway in the long-running , debuting in 2018 as a former navigating family secrets, relationships, and community drama in the fictional borough of , with the character remaining a series regular through 2025. He appeared as himself in a 2020 episode of the companion series EastEnders: Secrets from the Square, discussing his character's storyline and behind-the-scenes insights alongside co-star .

Film roles

Tony Clay's film career is limited, with only a handful of appearances prior to his prominence in television, underscoring his early focus on short-form and projects. He made his debut in the 2012 short An Ordinary Life, directed by Lorne Guy, in which he played Kieran, a in interconnected stories exploring themes of family caregiving and personal challenges. Clay's sole credited role in a full-length feature came in 2014's , a drama directed by , where he portrayed the minor character Cash-4-Gold Sign Man in a centered on familial tensions and moral dilemmas in . In , he appeared in the music video for "Chainsmoking" by . As of November 2025, no additional film roles have been announced or credited to Clay, aligning with his sustained commitment to serialized television work.

Stage work

Theatre productions

Tony Clay began his professional theatre career with several productions during and shortly after his training at in . In one early credit, he portrayed Edward in a staging of Someone Who'll by , a play exploring themes of captivity and human connection. He also appeared as Lvov in Anton Chekhov's under director Gareth Farr at the same institution. These student-led performances at Arts Ed provided foundational experience in classical and contemporary roles. Following his graduation in 2013, Clay took on his first professional role in by Chris Thompson at the Bush Theatre in , running from September to October 2014. In the production, directed by Ria Parry, he played Jayson, the gay younger brother of the central character Paul, a role that highlighted themes of and family dynamics in a northern English setting. Clay shared the stage with actors including as Christine and as Paul, contributing to the play's intimate ensemble dynamic amid its exploration of . The production received praise for its tense atmosphere and the cast's authentic portrayals of working-class life. In 2015, Clay performed at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick, London, in Pamela Carter's Lines, directed by Jay Miller and running from October to November. He portrayed Locke, one of four young army recruits enduring brutal basic training, in a play that delves into masculinity, sexuality, and institutional pressure within the British military. The production featured a stark, immersive set design that amplified the recruits' psychological and physical ordeals, with Clay's character revealing his homosexuality early on, adding layers to the group's tensions. Co-starring Ncuti Gatwa, Tom Gill, and Robbie O'Neill, Lines was noted for its raw depiction of boot camp rituals and received acclaim for its efficient pacing and emotional intensity. This engagement at the intimate Hackney Wick venue marked a significant step in Clay's London stage presence.

Touring performances

In 2016, Tony Clay joined the Abbey Theatre's production of Seán O'Casey's as Sergeant Tinley, marking his debut with the company in a role that contributed to the play's raw depiction of tenement life during the 1916 . Directed by Sean Holmes, the production originated at the in before embarking on an international tour, providing Clay with his first significant exposure to American audiences. The tour traversed several major U.S. venues, beginning with a run at the Kennedy Center in , in May 2016, followed by performances at the American Repertory Theater in in and Peak Performances at in in October. Co-starring alongside Ian-Lloyd Anderson as Jack Clitheroe, David Ganly as Fluther Good, and Kate Stanley Brennan in multiple roles, Clay's performance as the authoritative British sergeant navigated the play's tense interplay of nationalism and personal strife, adapting to diverse crowds that included communities responsive to the historical themes. The mobility of the tour highlighted logistical challenges, such as transporting the production's immersive set design across cities while maintaining the ensemble's cohesion amid varying audience reactions—from enthusiastic applause in to more contemplative responses in D.C. reflecting on the Rising's centenary. No further touring productions involving Clay have been documented through 2025, as his commitments shifted toward television work following the tour's conclusion.

Awards and nominations

Newcomer awards

In 2018, Tony Clay earned recognition for his debut performance as Callum "Halfway" Highway in EastEnders, receiving a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards. He was also longlisted for Funniest Male at the same awards. This accolade highlighted his introduction to the soap opera genre, with the shortlist featuring other rising talents such as James Burrows from Coronation Street and Ash Palmisciano from Emmerdale. Clay did not win the award, which was presented to Palmisciano for portraying Matty Barton. Clay was also nominated for Best Soap Newcomer at the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards, reflecting reader appreciation for his early contributions to EastEnders. Although he did not secure a top position in the final voting—where Owen Warner from Hollyoaks claimed first place— the nomination underscored Clay's impact as a fresh face in British television soaps.

Partnership and ongoing recognitions

In 2020, Tony Clay received a nomination for Best Partnership at the Inside Soap Awards alongside for their portrayal of Callum Highway and Ben Mitchell in , recognizing the impact of their on-screen relationship known as "Ballum." Clay and Bowden were also nominated for Best Soap Partnership at the 2020 I Talk Telly Awards. The duo's chemistry was further celebrated that year when they won Best Couple at the Reader Awards, voted by fans for their compelling depiction of a same-sex couple navigating personal and relational challenges. In 2021, Clay and Bowden received another nomination for Best Soap Partnership at the I Talk Telly Awards. Building on this acclaim, Clay and Bowden's partnership earned them the Best Soap Partnership award at the 2023 I Talk Telly Awards, highlighting the enduring popularity and critical appreciation of their storyline even after Bowden's departure from the series in 2022. This win underscored the lasting resonance of their collaborative work, which contributed to broader discussions on LGBTQ+ representation in soaps. Clay's ongoing contributions to were acknowledged through his attendance at 2025, held on May 31 at the in , where he appeared alongside co-star to represent the show's current ensemble. While not nominated in individual categories such as that year, his presence at the event reflected the sustained industry recognition of his long-term role as Callum Highway, a character integral to the soap's narrative evolution since 2018.

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