Former EastEnders star Nick Berry has been spotted looking completely different from his soap heyday, sporting a thick grey beard during a casual outing in Essex.
From Walford Heartthrob to Silver-Fox
The 61-year-old actor, who millions remember as Walford's charming Simon 'Wicksy' Wicks, appeared almost unrecognisable during his recent high street stroll. Berry first joined the BBC soap in 1985, just eight months after EastEnders launched, quickly becoming one of the show's most popular characters.
His most memorable storyline involved a steamy affair with Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins, which sparked a bitter feud with his step-brother Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). The dramatic love triangle captivated audiences throughout the late 1980s.
Life Beyond Albert Square
After five years on the Square, Nick left EastEnders in 1990, though he briefly returned for a one-off cameo in 2012 following his on-screen mother Pat Butcher's funeral. Away from Walford, Berry found further fame starring in the classic ITV police drama Heartbeat from 1992 to 1998.
He played lead character PC Nick Rowan in the 1950s-set series, cementing his status as one of British television's most familiar faces. His final starring role came in BBC detective series In Deep from 2001 to 2003, after which he stepped away from acting entirely.
Embracing Family Life Away from the Spotlight
In a 2011 interview with the Daily Mail, Berry revealed he had chosen to become a stay-at-home dad, a role he told the publication he absolutely loved. "I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven't really missed it," he explained at the time.
The actor's transformation serves as a reminder of how much time has passed since his days as one of British television's most prominent stars. While fans might remember him as the clean-shaven heartthrob from EastEnders and Heartbeat, Berry has clearly embraced a quieter life out of the public eye, prioritising family over fame.
