Killed-off EastEnders cast: where are they now?
EastEnders has dished out fatal exit storylines for dozens of big-name characters over the years, and we couldn't resist a chance to find out what on earth happened to some of the cast afterwards.
Here's what we managed to find out...
1. Frankie Fitzgerald (Ashley Cotton, 2001)
On-screen cause of death: Nick's wayward son stole Mark Fowler's motorbike following an argument at the Queen Vic. It seemed like a good way to prove his tough guy credentials... but he fatally crashed into the launderette as his villainous father had secretly cut Mark's brakes.
What happened next: After EastEnders, Frankie became a regular on children's series Harry and Cosh and Sky1's Dream Team. More recently, he started his own theatre academy. And it turns out that family loyalty for the Cottons is much stronger off screen, as he still had time to spare a thought for Nasty Nick when he was killed off himself in 2015.
Just been told the old man passed away tonight hope they gave this legend the send off he deserved. #RIPNickCotton pic.twitter.com/dxtC0kTfid
- Frankie Fitzgerald (@FrankieFitzy) February 13, 2015
2. Martin Kemp (Steve Owen, 2002)
On-screen cause of death: Steve met his maker when he crashed his car into a barrel of petrol while being chased by Phil, causing a deadly fireball. Rule number one of EastEnders: never mess with the Mitchells...
What happened next: Martin defected from the BBC to ITV after his EastEnders exit, appearing in dramas like The Brides In The Bath and Can't Buy Me Love. He returned to his music roots by reuniting with Spandau Ballet in 2009 and also competed on Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. Most recently, he teamed up with Gary Barlow and Dannii Minogue as a judge on BBC One's Saturday night talent show Let it Shine.
3. Alex Ferns (Trevor Morgan, 2002)
On-screen cause of death: Being hit over the head by Little Mo's iron may not have finished him off, but evil abuser Trevor finally got his much-deserved comeuppance when his final attempt to win her back led to a deadly house fire.
What happened next: Alex certainly chose his next project wisely, starring in the highly acclaimed French film Joyeux Noël, which received nominations at the Golden Globes, Academy Awards and the BAFTAs. He's popped up for a number of TV guest roles since, but has mainly concentrated on theatre work.
4. Jack Ryder (Jamie Mitchell, 2002)
On-screen cause of death: Hit by a car driven by Martin Fowler on Christmas Day.
What happened next: Jack starred in British film Popcorn in 2007, played Ryan in The Archers, and landed guest roles in Holby City and MIT. His personal life also hit the headlines when he split from Corrie star wife Kym Marsh in 2008. The multi-talented star is mainly busy working as a theatre director these days, with credits including The Full Monty, and directing The Band, a musical inspired by the songs of Take That.
5. Shaun Williamson (Barry Evans, 2004)
On-screen cause of death: Pushed off a cliff by Janine Butcher after she confessed their entire relationship was a sham. Double ouch...
What happened next: He'll forever be known as 'Barry off EastEnders', but good-humoured Shaun isn't too precious about it and famously sent himself up on Ricky Gervais's Extras. He also played a fictionalised version of himself in Life's Too Short, another Ricky Gervais project. Shaun's other TV work includes the role of Digby Digworth in children's series Scoop and he's had a number of stage roles too, as well as starring in Celebrity Big Brother recently. And is it just us, or does he never seem to look any older?
6. Hannah Waterman (Laura Beale, 2004)
On-screen cause of death: Fell down the stairs in her haste to answer the door to Ian Beale. Proof, if it was needed, that Ian is often best ignored...
What happened next: Hannah's had guest roles in Doctors, Holby City and The Bill, as well as a recurring part in New Tricks. She's also appeared on stage in The Vagina Monologues and Calendar Girls. Hannah released a fitness DVD in 2010 following a dramatic weight loss, but it all got rather awkward when Coleen Nolan and even her former EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy both criticised her sudden transformation.
7. Michael Higgs (Andy Hunter, 2005)
On-screen cause of death: Pushed off a motorway footbridge by Johnny Allen after an ill-fated attempt to con him.
What happened next: Michael has landed regular roles in children's sci-fi series Wizards vs Aliens, ITV2 drama Trinity and daytime drama WPC 56. He's also done the standard post-soap guest roles in the likes of Casualty, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.
8. Nigel Harman (Dennis Rickman, 2005)
On-screen cause of death: Stabbed by Danny Moon on New Year's Eve, just as he was contemplating a new life with his soulmate Sharon.
What happened next: Nigel has been something of a theatre king over the past few years, appearing in everything from Guys and Dolls to Shrek The Musical, for which he received an Olivier Award. There was a small setback in 2014 when he had the starring role in X Factor-inspired stage project I Can't Sing and it closed early due to poor sales. But it doesn't seem to have done him much harm in the long-run, as he went on to direct a touring production of Shrek in 2014. On TV, Nigel's also had regular roles in Downton Abbey, Hotel Babylon and Mount Pleasant.
9. Jake Maskall (Danny Moon, 2006)
On-screen cause of death: Shot dead by his brother Jake, who was trying to save the Mitchells after they'd been taken captive by Danny. Didn't Jake get the memo about faaamily?
What happened next: Jake is currently starring in US drama The Royals but isn't shy of chatting about his Walford past, recently telling Digital Spy that he demanded to be killed off as Danny so he could draw a line under the role.
10. Sophie Thompson (Stella Crawford, 2007)
On-screen cause of death: Jumped from the roof of an abandoned factory after her evil mistreatment of Ben was exposed.
What happened next: Sophie's stage success was already well established before she joined EastEnders and she's since taken this further with roles in She Stoops To Conquer and Guys and Dolls. She's also worked consistently in TV too, with roles in Love Life, Lightfields, Detectorists and Jericho. She even popped up in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One – probably just missing our favourite EastEnders extra Shrimpy, who was in the final scene of Part Two.
11. Amanda Drew (May Wright, 2008)
On-screen cause of death: Lost her life in an explosion that she caused by turning the gas on and lighting a cigarette.
What happened next: Amanda can boast that she's been in one of TV's biggest recent hits, playing the role of Cate Gillespie in Broadchurch. She's also had parts in Switch, Silent Witness, Life of Crime and The Passing Bells.
12. Lauren Crace (Danielle Jones, 2009)
On-screen cause of death: Knocked over by Janine Butcher out on the Square, just moments after revealing her true identity to her long-lost mum Ronnie.
What happened next: EastEnders fans were so angry over Danielle's death that Lauren probably thought she'd never hear the end of it. But these days she's best known for her more recent role of Doris Grove in Mr Selfridge and has also popped up in Sherlock, Silk, Holby City and Shameless.
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