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Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders star unrecognisable with incredible new job 38 years since exit
Kelvin Carpenter may have left Walford in 1987, but fans of the show still remember actor Paul J Medford who played him - and not only for the single he released with Letitia Dean Tony Carpenter and his son, Kelvin, were the first-ever black characters to appear in EastEnders when it launched back in 1985. Black and Asian characters had been under-represented in UK soaps and its creators were keen to redress the balance. Builder Tony was played by actor Oscar James, 82, with one of his most famous storylines involving clandestine affair with the original Queen Vic landlady, Angie Watts (Anita Dobson). The star has gone on further TV and movie roles since his 1987 exit from the soap – including starring in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp and also gracing the stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company – and he prefers not to linger on his Albert Square days. His partner once told the Mirror: "It was such a long time ago that he doesn't like to talk about it. To him it was just a role and he has done so much since. He has made some films and done some wonderful plays. He still gets excited by every role and had no idea when he took the part in EastEnders it would follow him. He doesn't watch the show anymore apart from maybe when I have it on but it has changed so much since his day." Meanwhile, Kelvin – played by actor Paul J Medford, 57 – was one of Albert Square's brightest teens, balancing education, aspirations, and working-class tenacity. His portrayal stood out as a rare positive depiction of Black youth on 1980s television and he became one of the most popular young characters in the show's early days. During his time in Albert Square, Kelvin had a chequered love life, including flings with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), with him also showing an interest in Mary the Punk (Linda Davidson). In one storyline, he went to college and formed a band with friends, which led to the real-life release of a single with Letitita, Something Outta Nothing, reaching No 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Kelvin stayed on in Walford even after the rest of his on-screen family departed, but eventually left the show himself in 1987 to pursue university studies. Paul has gone on to boast a successful stage career, featuring in West End hits including Five Guys Named Moe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Lion King, and was honoured with the Society of Black Arts Achievement Award in 1995. He has since relocated to the USA and moved on to an executive career. In 2012, he worked on Naomi Campbell's reality TV series The Face as Talent Producer, and later worked as Model Casting Director on seasons 17 and 18 of another reality show, Project Runway. In 2019, he was named Vice President, Unscripted Current Series, at Nickelodeon, working on productions including The Spongebob Musical: Live On Stage! as well as Nick's Ultimate Bloopers. Despite residing overseas, a former neighbour once revealed disclosed that Paul remains an avid follower of the soap that launched his career, keeping up with Walford's happenings through family and the internet.
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Soap star's secret music careers revealed from EastEnders actress's 80s pop single to Corrie legend's TOTP appearance
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHILST they are best known for their time on screen as popular soap stars, you may be surprised to learn that some of our acting favourites had secret singing careers. From releasing their own singles to high-profile TV spots, a raft of stars from Coronation Street, EastEnders and Hollyoaks have had a turn at being a popstar - but how many do you remember? Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up John Altman - EastEnders 14 EastEnders bad boy John Altman attempted a singing career Credit: Dan Kennedy - The Sun 14 He released a music video for his track in 2020 Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Whilst fans best know him for his controversial role as Dot's son Nasty Nick in the BBC One soap opera, John also had his time making music in a bid to break the charts. Having sang in many theatre productions and pantomimes over the years, John decided to have a go at releasing an official single in 2020. He penned the track Looking For The Love of My Life and even recorded a music video to go with it. The rock'n'roll track saw John singing about finding a lasting love as he wandered aimlessly in the snow in the track's official video. Sadly, the song failed to ignite the charts and has so far, only received 7,200 plays on YouTube. Letitia Dean - EastEnders 14 Sharon Watts actress Letitia Dean had a brief career on the charts Credit: BBC 14 She performed alongside one of her co-stars in the 80s Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Whilst Letitia is one of the country's most famous soap actresses thanks to her long-running role of Sharon Watts in EastEnders, she's also tried her hand at music. You would be forgiven for forgetting her stint as a singer however, as it proved much less successful that her iconic soap role. As a teen, she played the leading roles in a number of musicals but it was in 1986 that her music career kicked up a notch. As part of an EastEnders plot line, she and co-star Paul Medford came up with their very own song, Something Outta Nothing. Proving popular, the BBC issued the track as a single with Letitia and her co-star performing it across the country. Coronation Street favourite left for dead in brutal attack after actor is axed from soap It eventually landed at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Shane Richie - EastEnders 14 Shane has tried his hand many times to become a top singer Credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron 14 He toured all the TV shows to promote his track, I'm Your Man Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Shane Richie, known for his role as Alfie Moon, is another one of the EastEnders cast who isn't afraid to burst into song at any given opportunity. In 1997 and 2000, Shane attempted to become a popstar by releasing two albums. However, both albums performed very poorly and failed to chart. In 2003, he attempted to revive his music career once again - just a year into his soap stint. Aiming to use his newfound fame, he released the single, I'm Your Man, a cover of the Wham track for Children in Need. The song was a bigger success and managed to reach number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2009, it was reported that he would be the opening act for Michael Jackson's run of concerts planned for The O2 Arena, however, these were cancelled following his death. Stefan Dennis - Neighbours 14 Stefan Dennis has been a Neighbours mainstay Credit: Getty 14 His single and music video became a chart success Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Aussie actor Stefan rose to fame after appearing in the very first episode of Neighbours in 1985 playing the role of Paul Robinson. He has largely remained as part of the show's cast ever since and will appear in the programme's final episode which is scheduled to air this year. But apart from playing the role of Paul, Stefan has also put his singing voice to good use. In 1989, his track, Don't It Make You Feel Good, became a number 16 hit on both the UK and Irish charts. Tracy Shaw - Coronation Street 14 Tracy (centre) played Maxine Peacock on the show Credit: Granada 14 Tracy's music career was short-lived Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Tracy played the role of Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street between 1995 and 2003. She eventually quit the role amid a rumoured pay dispute in which soap bosses told her that she would be forced to take a £20,000 pay cut, something Tracy was unhappy with and as such, left the show. But during her time on the cobbles, she also attempted to purse a career as a popstar. She released her original track, Ridin High, as well as a cover of the Lonnie Gordon hit, Happening All Over Again. However, neither had a huge impact on the charts and she ceased releasing music soon after. Kevin Kennedy 14 Kevin's character Curly Watts will never be forgotten Credit: Rex 14 Kevin even performed on Top of the Pops Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Corrie's Curly Watts was secretly a singer in a career move that may have been forgotten by many fans. In 2000, he released his track, Bulldog Nation, via the RCA Records music label. Kevin even got to perform the track live on Top of the Pops in a surprise move. He even went on to release an album under the same name as well as a follow-up record in 2002 titled Present Kennedy. Will Mellor - Hollyoaks 14 During his time in Hollyoaks, Will found success on the charts too Credit: Alamy 14 He had his own top five record Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Hollyoaks hunk Will Mellor is yet another fan favourite soap star who tried his hand at becoming the next big thing on the charts. Will's music proved more successful than many of his soap counterparts. His cover of Leo Sayer's hit When I Need You became a top-five hit. Will's second track, No Matter What I Do, was also a considerable hit, reaching 23 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2003, he also won the first series of the BBC singing contest, Comic Relief does Fame Academy.
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Soap star's secret music careers revealed from EastEnders actress's 80s pop single to Corrie legend's TOTP appearance
WHILST they are best known for their time on screen as popular soap stars, you may be surprised to learn that some of our acting favourites had secret singing careers. From releasing their own singles to high-profile TV spots, a raft of stars from Coronation Street, EastEnders and Hollyoaks have had a turn at being a popstar - but how many do you remember? Advertisement John Altman - EastEnders 14 EastEnders bad boy John Altman attempted a singing career Credit: Dan Kennedy - The Sun 14 He released a music video for his track in 2020 Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Whilst fans best know him for his controversial role as Dot's son Nasty Nick in the BBC One soap opera , John also had his time making music in a bid to break the charts. Having sang in many theatre productions and pantomimes over the years, John decided to have a go at releasing an official single in 2020. He penned the track Looking For The Love of My Life and even recorded a music video to go with it. The rock'n'roll track saw John singing about finding a lasting love as he wandered aimlessly in the snow in the track's official video. Advertisement Read More on Soap Stars Sadly, the song failed to ignite the charts and has so far, only received 7,200 plays on YouTube. Letitia Dean - EastEnders 14 Sharon Watts actress Letitia Dean had a brief career on the charts Credit: BBC 14 She performed alongside one of her co-stars in the 80s Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Whilst Letitia is one of the country's most famous soap actresses thanks to her long-running role of Sharon Watts in EastEnders, she's also tried her hand at music. Advertisement You would be forgiven for forgetting her stint as a singer however, as it proved much less successful that her iconic soap role. As a teen, she played the leading roles in a number of musicals but it was in 1986 that her music career kicked up a notch. Most read in Soaps As part of an EastEnders plot line, she and co-star Paul Medford came up with their very own song, Something Outta Nothing. Proving popular, the BBC issued the track as a single with Letitia and her co-star performing it across the country. Advertisement Coronation Street favourite left for dead in brutal attack after actor is axed from soap It eventually landed at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Shane Richie - EastEnders 14 Shane has tried his hand many times to become a top singer Credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron 14 He toured all the TV shows to promote his track, I'm Your Man Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Advertisement In 1997 and 2000, Shane attempted to become a popstar by releasing two albums. However, both albums performed very poorly and failed to chart. In 2003, he attempted to revive his music career once again - just a year into his soap stint. Aiming to use his newfound fame, he released the single, I'm Your Man, a cover of the Wham track for Children in Need. Advertisement The song was a bigger success and managed to reach number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2009, it was reported that he would be the opening act for Stefan Dennis - Neighbours 14 Stefan Dennis has been a Neighbours mainstay Credit: Getty 14 His single and music video became a chart success Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Advertisement Aussie actor Stefan rose to fame after appearing in the very first episode of Neighbours in 1985 playing the role of Paul Robinson. He has largely remained as part of the show's cast ever since and will appear in the programme's final episode which is scheduled to air this year. But apart from playing the role of Paul, Stefan has also put his singing voice to good use. In 1989, his track, Don't It Make You Feel Good, became a number 16 hit on both the UK and Irish charts. Advertisement Tracy Shaw - Coronation Street 14 Tracy (centre) played Maxine Peacock on the show Credit: Granada 14 Tracy's music career was short-lived Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Tracy played the role of Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street between 1995 and 2003. She eventually quit the role amid a rumoured pay dispute in which soap bosses told her that she would be forced to take a £20,000 pay cut, something Tracy was unhappy with and as such, left the show. Advertisement But during her time on the cobbles, she also attempted to purse a career as a popstar. She released her original track, Ridin High, as well as a cover of the Lonnie Gordon hit, Happening All Over Again. However, neither had a huge impact on the charts and she ceased releasing music soon after. Kevin Kennedy 14 Kevin's character Curly Watts will never be forgotten Credit: Rex Advertisement 14 Kevin even performed on Top of the Pops Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Corrie's Curly Watts was secretly a singer in a career move that may have been forgotten by many fans. In 2000, he released his track, Bulldog Nation, via the RCA Records music label. Kevin even got to perform the track live on Top of the Pops in a surprise move. Advertisement He even went on to release an album under the same name as well as a follow-up record in 2002 titled Present Kennedy. Will Mellor - Hollyoaks 14 During his time in Hollyoaks, Will found success on the charts too Credit: Alamy 14 He had his own top five record Credit: tiktok/@throwbacksongssx/ Hollyoaks hunk next big thing on the charts. Advertisement Will's music proved more successful than many of his soap counterparts. His cover of Leo Sayer's hit When I Need You became a top-five hit. Will's second track, No Matter What I Do, was also a considerable hit, reaching 23 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2003, he also won the first series of the BBC singing contest, Comic Relief does Fame Academy. Advertisement
