Soap stars now living normal lives – EastEnders firefighter to double glazing business

TV fame doesn’t always last forever, and plenty of celebs leave the industry for good.

Whether it’s because they want to step out of the limelight or because work dries up, many actors and actresses have ended up looking for normal jobs.

And others just like combining their acting roles with something a bit more ‘regular’.

This is especially true for soap stars, who often fall into the routine of appearing on a long-running programme rather than shorter projects where scripts have a beginning and an end.

We have a look at a few small screen stars who have taken on normal jobs over the years – from Tom Watt to Michelle Herbert.

Tom Watt

EastEnders star Tom, 66, shot to fame when he was cast as Lofty Holloway, one of the BBC soap’s original characters.

He was in the soap from 1985 to 1988 then went on to appear in other shows such as Space Precinct, Doctors and New Tricks.

However, Tom has also dabbled in writing and journalism.

The actor has presented various sports segments on channels including talkSPORT and Channel 4 and he has also produced football documentaries.

Tony Discipline

Tony was something of a heartthrob when he starred as Tyler Moon in EastEnders from 2011 to 2013.

But in 2020 he stunned fans when he shared a picture of himself dressed as a firefighter.

Some of his fans assumed that the star was dressed up for a new part.

However, he later confirmed that firefighting was his new career.

Last year he told Entertainment Daily he was “really enjoying” working for the London Fire Brigade.

“It’s very fulfilling,” he said. “Every day is different and you get to work within the community.”

Michelle Herbert

Michelle made her name in Grange Hill, playing rebellious Trisha Yates from 1978 to 1982.

But she later took a step back from the spotlight and settled down in Dundee.

The actress is now married and it has been reported that she and her husband have a family double glazing business.

Hetti Bywater

Hetti made a splash as Lucy Beale in EastEnders, but left in 2014 when her character met a sticky end.

Now 27, Hetti is still acting and has had roles in television shows such as Delicious and Death In Paradise.

But she has also been spotted pulling pints in a pub.

In 2017, the Sunday Mirror reported that Hetti was seen working behind the bar of a pub in Islington.

Charlie Clements

Charlie found fame as Bradley Branning in EastEnders, until the character was killed off in 2010.

He is still acting but has also worked as a chef and worked at a garden centre during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking on Loose Women last year, he said: “It was just a way of me supporting the family.

“At the end of the day the kids and the family come first. I’ve never been afraid of work and never been work shy.”

“Acting is always my first love and will always be my career choice but at the end of the day I’ve got bills to pay and a family to support like everyone else,” he added.

Katie Jarvis

Katie starred as Kat’s cousin Hayley on EastEnders, but after leaving she got a job at B&M Bargains.

Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire Show in 2019, she said that although she was an actress she always had other jobs too.

“That’s the life of an actor – I like to be busy and learn new things,” she said.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk