EASTENDERS stars’ forgotten pop careers from a Eurovision snub to a one-hit wonder.
Some of Walford’s best known actors were already popstars before they joined the cast.
Like Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp who played the dashing Steve Owen from 2001 and the pop sensation David Essex before he joined as Eddie Moon in 2011.
Blue frontman Lee Ryan was also successful in the music industry before he joined as Woody Woodward in 2017.
But what about the other cast members? An upcoming new show called EastEnders Sings at the BBC is only a few days away – so lets look back at their musical careers – some short-lived some much longer.
Martine McCutcheon
Martin had a massive success in her music career with a number one single and a platinum album[/caption]
Tiffany Butcher actress Martine McCutcheon joined the soap in 1994 and millions watched her heart breaking scenes in 1998 when her character was killed off in a special episode screened on New Year’s Eve.
She left the soap to pursue a musical career and released Perfect Moment in 1999 which charted on the number one spot in the UK and the album went platinum.
Her second album had two successful singles – the number two hit “I’m Over You” and the follow-up song, a cover of the Donna Summer classic “On the Radio” which peaked at number seven.
Anita Dobson
Anita’s song based on the EastEnders theme tune reached number 4 in the charts[/caption]
Anita played the Queen Vic’s alcoholic landlady Angie Watts from the first episode of the series in 1985 and we were all mesmerised by her relationship with her husband Dirty Den.
On Boxing Day in 1986, 30.15 million viewers tuned in to witness him handing Angie her divorce papers, giving the soap its highest ever ratings, which has yet to be beaten by any other soap in the UK.
In 1986, she released the single Anyone Can Fall in Love, which was based on the EastEnders theme tune.
It reached number four in the charts and was produced by Queen guitarist Brian May, who later became her husband.
She has also released several other singles and albums with minor chart success.
Sean Maguire
Sean released three albums which and his biggest hit reached number 12 in the charts[/caption]
Sean joined the cast of EastEnders playing Aidan Brosnan, a young Irish footballer playing for fictional side Walford F.C.
In 1994, he left the show to take a starring role in the BBC drama series Dangerfield, playing Marty Dangerfield.
Sean then pursued a career in music, releasing three albums: his self-titled debut album in 1994, Spirit in 1996, and Greatest Hits in 1998.
His biggest hit was Good Day, which reached number 12 in May 1996.
Sid Owen
Sid left the show to pursue pop music but it didn’t quite work out[/caption]
Sid joined the soap in 1988 where he played Ricky Butcher and his character’s relationship with Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) was the stuff of legends.
He appeared regularly on the show until April 2000 when he decided to leave the show and tried his hand at pop music.
He released his cover version of Michael Jackson‘s 1972 song, “We’ve Got a Good Thing Going” on Mushroom Records.
The song reached No. 14 in the UK Singles Chart in June 2000. A follow-up single was recorded but never released.
John Altman
John played Nasty Nick Cotton in the soap and even faked his own death[/caption]
John was among the original cast members of the BBC soap, playing Nasty Nick Cotton, appearing in the first episode in February 1985.
He remained on the show as a recurring character until he was killed off in the 30th anniversary episode of the show which aired in February 2015.
In 2010, he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids and released one song called Uncontrollable.
In early 2011, John announced he was leaving the band to focus on his other commitments.
Sophie Lawrence
Sophie worked with the successful pop writers and producers, Stock Aitken and Waterman[/caption]
Sophie, otherwise known as Diane Butcher, joined the soap in 1988 as Frank Butcher’s daughter.
She released a cover of Donna Summer‘s Love’s Unkind in 1991 produced by Simon Cowell.
The song reached 21 in the UK singles chart and she went on to record a single called Secrets but the tune was never released.
She returned to a successful career in acting and hasn’t released a new song since.
Michell Gayle
Michelle launched a successful pop and R&B career with seven top 40 UK singles[/caption]
Albert Square’s Hattie Tavernier, played by Michelle Gayle, was a regular character in the square between 1990 and 1993.
But Michelle also launched a very successful pop career.
She signed with RCA Records and had seven Top 40 hits during the 90s, including her first single Looking Up and follow-up hit called Sweetness.
Michelle, also has two hit albums but after she signed for EMI in 1997 she failed to gain anymore major hits.
She had an entry for Eurovision in 2008 but finished second in the public vote and was denied entry to the final.
The talented seventies heartthrob David Essex played Eddie Moon in the BBC soap[/caption]
EastEnders Sings at the BBC airs on Fri Feb 15 at 9.10pm.
