 Jake Wood as a young actor in 2002 (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock) Jake, whose children Amber, 17, and Buster, 15, have inherited their dad's hair colour, added: 'There's a fine line between teasing and banter and bullying and it's important that kids know where that line is.' Eight in 10 children have been targeted by bullies, according to a new survey, with half saying it was over their appearance. Now anti-bullying charity The Diana Award has teamed up with Nationwide Building Society to launch a pen pal scheme to spread kindness and respect in schools. Jake Wood as Max in EastEnders with Jo Joyner as Tanya (Image: BBC) More than 120,000 kids from 300 schools will write letters filled with positive messages to send to other children as part of the charity's Positive Post Box campaign. Jake, who left EastEnders last year after 15 years and reached the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, said: 'It's a wonderful idea. I had a pen pal from Greece as a kid. That was great fun. I went on holiday there and met this other kid. Jake Wood performed with pro dancer Janette Manrara on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 (Image: PA) Jake Wood as Max with Lace){kind=link}
Strictly star Jake Wood – who played Max Branning in EastEnders – shares his experience of being picked on for his red hair as he speaks out for Anti-Bullying Week and urges kids to spread positivity
EastEnders legend Jake Wood is backing an anti-bullying Âcampaign after being picked on as a kid for his ginger hair.
The 50-year-old actor said he was able to stand up to his bullies â but many victims feel too scared.
Speaking ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, Jake â who played womaniser Max Branning in the BBC soap â said: “Anything that marks you out as different when you are growing up can lead to some sort of form of bullying.
“I was ginger and so there was name-calling and being picked on. Any nicknames you can think of for someone with red hair, I was given them.