Neil McDermott played the role of EastEnder’s hunk Ryan Malloy from April 2009 until August 2011.
Just to recap on his time in Walford, when Ryan rocked up on in Albert Square he was a mystery man for a short while, before it was revealed that he was Whitney Dean’s (Shona McGarty) half-brother.
During his time on the show, Ryan struck up a relationship with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and the pair ended up welcoming Lily Slater.
After leaving the soap in 2011, Neil has welcomed two children, began a West End career and even ran the Great North Run with a fellow EastEnders co-star Charlie Brooks.
West End career
(Image: DAN KENNEDY)
Before he starred in EastEnders, Neil, now 41, had an esteemed list of theatre credits and had already starred in The Sound Of Music at the London Palladium.
After training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, he starred as Captain Georg von Trapp in the popular production.
When he left EastEnders, he got back into theatre and ended up replacing fellow EastEnders actor Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in February 2012.
The production played its final performance 24 February 2013 with Neil as Farquaad.
Stunning wife
(Image: Instagram)
In 2010, one year before leaving the BBC soap, Neil and his wife Michelle Edwards opened the Mishmak Youth Theatre, an innovative theatre school for young people.
Both Neil and Michelle have made successes of themselves in the world of acting.
The school which is based at the Secombe Theatre, in Cheam Road, offers training and classes in singing, dance and drama for ages five to 17 years.
Brief return to Albert Square
(Image: BBC)
After leaving the soap in 2011, he popped up in Albert Square once again in January 2016 for a short cameo where he looked after his daughter Lily.
Seven months later, Ryan returned on September 20, 2016 after he was released from prison.
Before popping up once again on November 4, 2016 for Whitney Dean (his half-sister) and Lee Carter’s wedding.
Festive fun
(Image: Instagram)
In December 2020, Neil performed as an elf in a pantomime-style show he co-wrote.
He could be seen on-stage at Charing Cross Theatre.
The show was based around a an elf with anxiety, which represented a child with the mental health issue.
Taking to Instagram, Neil explained: “Anxiety in elves is natural and common. One in eight elves will experience anxiety.
As elves grow up and learn from their parents and friends, they typically develop the skills to calm themselves and cope.
(Image: Instagram)
“But, anxiety in elves can also become chronic and persistent. Uncontrolled anxiety may begin to interfere with daily activities, and elves may avoid interacting with their peers or family members.”
He then wrote: “If you are looking for a show to see this Christmas please consider The Elf Who Was Scared Of Christmas – a show about an Elf suffering with anxiety who with help learns ways to cope with her fears and in this story overcome them.”
Neil concluded: “There is no better way to address behaviours than through live entertainment. This is a fun Christmas show. It’s also an insight into anxiety. And perhaps something elves AND kids will enjoy AND learn from. But that’s theatre. And that’s what we miss.”
Family life
(Image: Instagram)
Away from his acting duties, Neil and Michelle share two children together.
The pair met while training at Mountview Theatre School, and they now share daughter, Arrabella who was born in January 2011, as well as a young son.
Neil often takes to social media to document the family’s fun-filled holidays in the sunshine, or sweet snaps from activities like pumpkin picking or family photoshoots.
(Image: Instagram)
The actor took to his Instagram page in November 2021, sharing an adorable set of snaps where he could be seen enjoying warmer climates with his family.
He shared the snaps with a caption that read: “Special appreciation post to @aqualand_maspalomas #aqualandmaspalomas where we had a fantastic day out on all the slides and getting to swim with Lola the SeaLion.”
Neil concluded the caption: “Special Memories for my little ones and highly recommend if you’re in the area.”
EastEnders
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
