EASTENDERS star Dean ­Gaffney has been dating a bookish ex-Harvard graduate for six months — despite her not being “his usual type”.

The actor, 47, has fallen for Kate Black, 31, who studied international relations at the top US university.

She also studied artificial intelligence at the University of York.

A mutual pal introduced them and they first dated in April, a month after she split from her long-term boyfriend.

In June, Dean — whose EastEnders character, Robbie Jackson, owned a dog called Wellard — and Kate were seen together on holiday in Ibiza.

A source said: “Dean’s smitten and they get on really well despite the fact she’s not exactly his usual type.

“He normally dates party girls and Kate’s more of a homebody.

“She’s smart, hard working and ambitious.

“She normally dates driven, academic types.

“But she loves Dean’s sense of humour and laid-back approach to life.”

Asked by The Sun on Sunday if she was ­dating Dean, Kate, who is a logistics manager with Amazon, said: “Yes, but no ­comment.”

A spokesman for Dean said they were friends but denied any romance.