alan jackson is played by howard antony. he originally appears between 1993 and 1997, and returns on 12 october 2010 for three episodes. kind-hearted alan gives the jackson family some much needed stability. he loves and cares for carol's (lindsey coulson) children as if they are his own. their relationship does not go so smoothly however. carol's stubborn and nagging nature eventually drives him into the arms of another woman. alan has been described as a good, reliable, hard-working father and well integrated into his community. alan's main storyline during his initial four years in "eastenders" surrounds his interracial marriage to carol jackson and being a paternal figure to carol's children, three of whom were fathered by other men. antony has revealed that his portrayal was partly based on his own life experiences, as he had grown up with siblings with different fathers to his own. antony told author larry jaffee, "alan was so family oriented, but i liked that a young black guy who was very responsible, mature – that was something that i was very comfortable with because it was something i grew up with to a point. to me, if you love someone you love everything about them. it's not 'i love you, but i don't love your kids'. it was something i was very glad to do. the whole black-and-white thing, i think we're at a stage now that people are more informed."