EastEnders legend Perry Fenwick is one of the longest serving actors on the BBC One soap.
He first joined the cast back in 1998 as fan favourite Billy Mitchell, a distant relative of already established characters Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).
It makes Perry the third longest serving actor on the soap, tied with Sid Owen, who plays Ricky Butcher, and Ian Beale star Adam Woodyatt, who joined in 1985.
Over the years, Billy has struggled to hold down a job in Walford becoming a market trader, a chip shop assistant and an undertaker over the past two decades.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
He’s also had a relationship with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) got married to Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth) and cheated on his second wife Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) with Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White).
Billy has three children Dan Pearce and Janet and Will Mitchell, and is the grandfather of Lola Pearce and great-grandfather of Lexi Pearce.
Daily Star has taken a look into Perry’s life away from Walford as Billy finds himself homeless in upcoming EastEnders scenes.
Early life and famous relative
Perry has three siblings siblings, one sister and two brothers.
An unearthed picture of the actor has resurfaced recently from when he was just four years old and he looks more or less exactly the same.
The tightly cut hairstyle was clearly there from birth, as well as his steely eyes.
He also shares a family with Britannia High star Georgina Hagen, of whom he is the second cousin.
(Image: ITV)
The actress played Lauren Waters in the ITV musical drama television series in 2008.
Georgnia also appeared in CBBC children’s television show The Story of Tracy Beaker as Rebecca Chalmers in 2005.
The TV beauty starred as Meat in the 2009/2010 UK tour of Queen musical We Will Rock You” and portrayed the lead role of Pearl in Starlight Express in Germany.
She recently featured in Tim Minchin’s new Musical Groundhog Day’ in which she played the role of Nancy Taylor.
Pre-EastEnders fame
(Image: PA)
EastEnders was not the first time Perry appeared on our television screens.
Before stepping foot in Albert Square over 20 years ago, the soap star appeared on Inspector Morse, The Thin Blue Line, A Mother Like Him and Minder
Perry’s first acting job was in The Squad at the age of 18.
He also appeared as two different characters in Casualty ten years apart, and starred in The Bill five times as different minor characters.
Perry has also numerous film credits to his name, including Empire State, The Winslow Boy and Mona Lisa to name a few.
Dating history
Father-of-three Perry dated his Watchdog co-star Emma Wray for several years before their romance eventually came to an end.
He then met and married his ex-wife and former Coronation Street star Angela Lonsdale.
Perry and Angela, who was well known for playing iconic Curly Watt’s wife Emma Taylor, were married from 2005 until 2011, before they announced their sudden split.
(Image: PA)
At the time, a spokesman for the couple said: “Perry Fenwick and Angela Lonsdale have sadly separated after five years of marriage.
“They will not be making any further comment.”
It’s unknown whether Perry is currently single or in a relationship.
The former couple share children Lucy, Isabella and Jayden together.
In 2016 Angela announced plans to marry session guitarist Jonny Davies.
Booed out of comedy night
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Perry was reportedly booed out of a comedy gig by jeering fans back in 2015 after he heckled and threw abuse at at a comedian on stage.
It is believed that the actor flew into a fit of rage after Josh Howie made jokes of a sensitive nature he found offensive at King’s Head comedy club in London.
Perry allegedly got up twice to heckle at the side of the stage before being escorted out by pals.
The group were seen desperately trying to calm down the furious TV star as punters booed him.
He later issued a grovelling apology over the shocking incident.
Impressive net worth
(Image: Getty Images)
It was reported back in 2006 that Perry was on £320,000 a year at EastEnders while playing Billy.
In 2017, Radio Times revealed that high-earning Walford regulars like Adam Woodyatt and Danny Dyer get paid between £200,000 and £249,000.
According to TrendCelebs, as of 2020 Perry’s net worth is around £3.6 million.
EastEnders continues Monday on BBC One at 9.05pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
