EastEnders’ Steve McFadden looks unrecognisable with full head of hair in unearthed soap pics
EASTENDERS star Steve McFadden looks completely unrecognisable in unearthed pictures from his early days on the BBC soap.
He looks totally different with a full head of dark hair in unearthed snaps from the ‘90s.
Steve, now 64, has played long-time Walford local Phil Mitchell on the soap since 1990, only briefly taking a break in 2004.
During his time on the soap, Steve’s character has been married four times, although he almost made it down the aisle several other times.
His latest bride is Kat Slater (played by Jessie Wallace), with the pair tying the knot earlier this year.
However, Steve looked completely different during his early days on the soap.
He had a full head of short dark hair when he rocked up in Walford.
Steve’s character was introduced back in the day alongside his on-screen family, Ross Kemp and the late Barbara Windsor.
Ross, now 59, played Phil’s brother Grant from 1990 to 1999, briefly returning in 2005, 2006, and 2016.
The TV star recently revealed that he also looked completely different when his career was just starting out.
While promoting his new book, Take Nothing For Granted – a pun on the role he is best known for – on Good Morning Britain, Ross showed off some pictures from his past.
The new memoir has pages full of images, which include the actor’s first ever headshot that he used for casting purposes.
He showed off his 1980s style bouffant hair, which he wore shortly after leaving drama school and before appearing on the soap.
When he left EastEnders in 1999, Ross went on to present the BAFTA-winning documentary Ross Kemp on Gangs and a host of other popular documentary series.
Meanwhile, Phil has remained a mainstay on the BBC soap, but in the coming weeks, he will make a brief exit from Walford because Steve has landed a new role in pantomime.
No stranger to the stage, Steve will be starring in Jack and The Beanstalk throughout December, meaning his character will be taking time away from Albert Square.
It is not yet clear how Phil’s absence will be explained, or if the exit will be a permanent one.