Acting is not for everyone, even for those in the industry. Many have shunned the soap spotlight over the years and haven’t returned as they find there’s more to life than being in front of the camera.

Fame is fleeting, or so the saying goes. So it’s no surprise that many celebrities have had to leave the world of showbiz to take on normal jobs. Some have had a career break to do more everyday things, and many loved off-set life so much that they decided not to return to TV.

Some household names can now be seen performing new roles, such as fire-fighting, working behind bars, teaching and even making cheese! As EastEnders celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Mirror takes a look at former stars of the BBC soap opera – and other soaps who have turned their back on fame in favour for very normal jobs.

Although Ricky who played Garry Hobbs in the hit BBC soap recently returned for Billy Mitchell’s wedding, his life away from Albert Square is very different. He played the loveable character for nine years before he and Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon_ decided to leave Walford for elsewhere.

Since his exit, Ricky has gone on to appear on a variety of shows, including Strictly Come Dancing in 2009, where he was partnered with Erin Boag. The couple finished in tenth place on November 21, 2009. But last year, Ricky was spotted flogging household items for Must Have Ideas UK’s social media channel.

In the Instagram clip, Ricky is helping to sell mould remover. Demonstrating how it works, he tells potential customers: “Want to get rid of mould once and for all? Mould Magic Extreme. Check this out. It’s got a specially patented formula that actually sticks to the wall. Unlike sprays, they don’t do the job.”

Turning on his salesman charm, Ricky continued: “Don’t believe me? Look at some of our customer’s results. Mould in the bathroom, there you go, where’s it gone? It’s gone. What about that wallpaper? No more mould! Washing machine – you’re going to save yourself a fortune. You get two in a pack. Click the link below to order yours.”

Former EastEnders favourite Charlie Clements swapped Albert Square for sushi as she celebrated his fantastic new career move. When Covid hit and theatre acting dried up, he used his skills and signed up as a chef in a garden centre as the pandemic changed the world.

He said he even looked after the store’s plants when the restaurant closed. He kept on cooking Showing fans his “other day job” as he posted an incredible platter of raw fish last year, and clearly has a love of food as well as acting – and he’s pretty good in the kitchen, too.

Speaking about his change of direction, Charlie 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.”

Dubbed the ‘mini David Beckham ‘ due to his blonde curtains and cheeky smile, fans were shattered by Jamie Mitchell traumatic’s death which left the Square reeling as we said goodbye to Jack Ryder. Some 20 years on, he writes children’s books, runs a mentoring business and also directs – and is still just a handsome two decades after he burst onto the scene.

In July 2022, Jack posted a photo of him as Jamie, musing: “Once a Mitchell… This year marks 20 years since I left EastEnders. I owe so much to the people there for giving me such an opportunity at such a young age. When I really think back, everything I am and do was all born out of that experience. There were tough times to be sure. Challenging times. But never on that set with those wonderful people. I will forever be grateful.”

Talented Hetti was at the centre of one of EastEnders’ biggest storylines in recent years playing Lucy Beale as viewers were left guessing for months as they tried to work out her killer. The 29-year-old left the BBC One soap in 2015 when her character was murdered and since then she has starred in Death in Paradise and Sky One series Delicious.

In 2017, onlookers snapped pictures of her working as a barmaid in a pub in Islington in London. She was seen pulling pints and collecting glasses while she worked behind the bar. It appears she doesn’t miss Lucy after Hetti revealed her hatred of the character when she hit back at a cruel Instagram troll.

She wrote: “Seeing as you kindly comment on many of my stories I will now take the time to respond to each one. Firstly, this “posh white” girl is allowed to talk in whatever way she pleases. As much as I’m very fond of the English language, I’m free to use words as I see fit. I’m glad Bobby killed Lucy too, I hated her.”

Tony played Tyler Moon, the cousin of Alfie Moon, on EastEnders from 2011 until he was written out in 2013. But within a few years, he had decided he needed to save some lives so signed up to become a fireman.

Tony, who previously dated Jacqueline Jossa, appeared in the short movie Birds and Dogs and appeared in the mini-series Murder in the Carpark before leaving acting. He admits he couldn’t be happier in his new job and told The Sun: “I love it. Every day is different and you feel you’re helping your community. I love it.”

Tony also runs and serves drinks at a travelling bar for events, and weddings, where he has regular run-ins with long-time fans of the soap. “A lot of people call it ‘The Little Vic’ after they see me bartending and recognise me from EastEnders ” the actor joked.

Katie left a big impression on viewers when she arrived as Hayley Slater in 2018. However, just one year later, the character left the show and has barely been mentioned since her departure – despite being related to one of the biggest families.

Just three months later, Katie, 33, was spotted working on the doors of her local discount store, B&M. Speaking to the Daily Star, the actress revealed she had completely turned her back on acting, despite appearing in EastEnders and films including Fish Tank and Ginger.

She said: “I’ve taken a step back from acting. I’ve got a job and I’m looking after my kids.” It was later reported that Katie was working in a garage but the actress has also taken on some other jobs which may surprise fans of the show. She explained: “In between filming, I’ve done a railway engineering course, I’m qualified in nails, I’ve done all sorts, the list is never ending.”

Known for playing hard man Ben Mitchell, Harry’s life is now very different. The actor, 32, now runs a decorating and scaffolding company. Taking to Instagram to promote his business, Harry told fans: “Now providing scaffolding. Business continuing to grow.”

Coronation Street star Lucy-Jo Hudson recently revealed she started a new career after struggling to find roles in TV. The 40-year-old is best known for her role as Katy Harris in the long-running soap. She left in 2005 after three years but was part of many iconic storylines.

Some stories included the family’s victimisation by a gang, her diabetes diagnosis and her relationship with Martin Platt (Sean Wilson). Her departing storyline was the most shocking of all. In her final episode, she had an abortion, proceeded to murder her own father and then killed herself.

After leaving Coronation Street, the actress had roles such as Rosie in Wild at Heart, Sam in Looking for Eric, Rhiannon in Doctors, and more. Her most recent role is in Hollyoaks as Donna-Marie Quinn. But now, the star admitted it has been hard finding work in the industry.

Lucy-Jo wrote: “I could audition for 8 jobs and get none, yet I could fall into a job next week, or I might not work for 6 months! It’s not easy but I continue to push as I love nothing more than acting! But while I’m in limbo, I have decided I need a side hustle.”

She added: “Something that will fit around the kids, that I can take on the road when I’m going to London for castings, something I can keep working on while I get an acting role I love. And I’ve found the perfect thing! Does anyone else fancy working from home earning an extra income? Watch this space! #LJsTravelClub.”

Adele Silva picked a very worthy career path after turning her back on fame. The Emmerdale actress once dubbed the “sexiest soap star” became a teacher and says shaping the minds of the future is something she always wanted to do with her life.

The 43-year-old switched professions after she came under the spotlight for playing Kelly Windsor in the ITV soap. Having been part of dramatic storylines including a number of affairs, she is now working as a teacher at the National Film and Television School. Adele was part of the soap from 1993 to 2011 and also made an appearance in Hollyoaks in 2015.

He gave up soap life following her pregnancy with her eight-year-old daughter Sienna. After suffering three miscarriages, Adele wanted to give full attention to her child and decided not to return for her on-screen sister’s final scenes in the soap.

Kevin played Corrie’s iconic character Curly Watts for 20 years before he quit acting in 2003. His 20-year stint as one of Britain’s best-loved soap characters has always been a source of pride for the telly favourite, but he had something else he just needed to do.

Kevin then set up the Kennedy Street Foundation, an addiction recovery charity, after battling an addiction to alcohol himself for 22 years. The former actor told Manchester Evening News : “The Kennedy Street Foundation is my passion; all we want to do is help people who find themselves in the desperate situation I was in 22 years ago.

“Our national recovery helpline is receiving calls every day and we really need to raise as much money as possible in order to be able to help each and every one start their own Road2Recovery.” He turned his life around after collapsing and being rushed to hospital in May 1998. While Kevin, now 62, acknowledged last year was an important one on his recovery journey, he said he wouldn’t be making a big thing of it.

It may not have been a full-time switch, but EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt was spotted manning a plant-based street food trailer with catering company Kilty & Co at the CarFest festival in Cheshire last year after walking away from the BBC soap.

The actor didn’t look a million miles away from his alter-ego Ian Beale, who of course ran a fish and chip shop and the local cafe throughout his time in Albert Square. As he taste-tested some of his culinary creations and mucked in to help run a vegan food stall at a festival, fans wondered if he would be cooking forever.

But he couldn’t stay away from Walford and the veteran actor, who has played Ian since 1985, made his return earlier this summer alongside his on-screen wife, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) who was believed to have died during childbirth in 1998.

Former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote is now a nail technician after pausing her TV plans. The 32-year-old, Katy Armstrong on the ITV soap, took to Instagram to share the wonderful news with her followers that she has qualified and three years on, she’s loving every minute.

“I have been an actress for 22 years of my 30 year life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. And I never will, she posted on social media. “I recently qualified as a nail technician and i am super proud of myself for the reason i am about to explain.”

Georgia continued: “I have had people asking if i am quitting acting, if my work has dried up, if I am skint. The answer to all of the above is HELL NO. “I have just filmed the job of my dreams as Falista on The Outpost, how could i ever ever turn my back on the thing i love more than life? I will NEVER give up acting but let me tell you why i am now doing nails in my downtime from acting..”

Coronation Street’s Adam Rickitt can never be accused of not putting in a shift. The former Street star, who sporadically played the original Nick Tilsley in Corrie between 1997 and 2004, can often be seen lugging kegs and gin at his successful business in Knutsford, Cheshire.

The hard-working 45-year-old runs his passion project – Dexter and Jones, a craft beer/artisan gin/fine wine shop – with his Good Morning Britain correspondent wife Katy. He co-runs the shop while still pursuing a career as a part-time actor, most recently popping up in Hollyoaks as Kyle Kelly.

Adam also enjoyed a short-lived music career away from the cobbles and even signed a six-album deal with Polydor. The former teen hunk hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2020 when he was caught drunk driving. He had been caught by the police while making a 600-metre trip home in his car after picking up a takeaway and was banned from driving for 17 months.

Sean was in Coronation Street as Martin Platt from 1985 until 2005. After leaving the ITV soap, Sean began dating actress Susie Fenwick and the couple set up a cheese-making business, Saddleworth Cheese Company. The business has been a success and it won three gongs at the British Cheese Awards.

He released The Great Northern Cookbook in 2013, which was accompanied by a four-part Channel 5 TV series of the same name. Sean announced in 2018 that he was returning to Reaseheath College to become a lecturer in cheese. He said at the time: “I’ll be returning to the class where it all started 10 years ago, as the lecturer.”

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