In a remarkable personal journey, new EastEnders star Stephen Aaron-Sipple has undergone a dramatic body transformation, shedding almost seven stone before joining the iconic BBC soap. The actor, who has taken on the role of Mark Fowler Jr, recently opened up about the health scare that motivated his incredible weight loss journey.
A life-changing diagnosis
Stephen faced a serious health wake-up call at just 29 years old when he was diagnosed with diabetes. Reflecting on this pivotal moment in a 2019 interview with Men's Health, the actor described it as "a serious punch in the face." He candidly admitted: "I had abused my body so much that a part of it stopped working properly." This diagnosis became what Stephen called his "lightbulb moment," adding: "An early death was the lightbulb moment I really needed to take back control of my health."
The transformation journey begins
Stephen embarked on his weight loss journey by making significant lifestyle changes. He joined a gym and completely overhauled his diet, reducing carbohydrate intake while cutting out sugars entirely. His new eating plan focused on consuming less fat and increasing protein intake, all while managing his diabetes diagnosis effectively.
The actor faced particular challenges during weekends, having become "accustomed to" drinking alcohol and ordering takeout meals regularly. After overcoming these initial obstacles, Stephen began seeing noticeable results, losing an impressive 70 pounds within just a few months of starting his new regimen.
Professional guidance and continued progress
Not content with his initial success, Stephen sought professional help by hiring an online coach from Charlie Johnson Fitness. Together, they developed a comprehensive nutrition and training plan specifically tailored to accommodate his diabetes diagnosis. Stephen's fitness routine expanded to include full-body workouts several days a week, complemented by regular cardio sessions.
The actor explained how his coach's support kept him motivated: "He would get in touch to ask about my progress, and you didn't really want to let him down." This accountability proved crucial to Stephen's continued success.
Remarkable results and new beginnings
Ultimately, Stephen achieved a staggering weight loss of 93 pounds - just under seven stone - reducing from 282 pounds to reach 189 pounds. This transformation coincided with exciting professional news, as earlier this month it was announced that Stephen had been cast in the coveted role of Mark Fowler Jr on EastEnders.
Stephen replaces Emmerdale actor Ned Porteous, who previously played Mark for a brief period in 2016. Porteous, now 31, is best known for his role as businessman Joe Tate on the ITV soap, initially appearing from 2017 to 2018 before making a Christmas 2024 return.
Joining Albert Square
Stephen made his first on-screen appearance as Mark in EastEnders' New Year's Day flash-forward episode, though his character remained unidentified at the time. He officially debuted last week, with viewers seeing a bruised and bloodied Mark coming face-to-face with his uncle Phil Mitchell.
Discussing his casting, Stephen expressed his excitement: "Having grown up in East London, EastEnders has been in my life since childhood and I'm excited to be joining not one, but two iconic Albert Square families! I'm looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him."
Executive producer Ben Wadey added: "We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square. Viewers had a glimpse of Mark in the New Years Day flash-forward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year."
Fan reactions and future storylines
The announcement of Stephen's casting has generated considerable excitement among EastEnders fans. One enthusiast wrote: "Yay! Can't wait to see Mark Fowler Jr on our screen again," while another noted: "Mark Fowler JR was previously played by Ned Porteous, until he departed in a storyline where he learned that Grant Mitchell is his dad." A third fan expressed hopes for future developments, saying: "Well that's is Grants son Mark junior... well bring back Grant!!!!"
Storyline teasers suggest Mark's return to Walford will see him reuniting with both sides of his family - the Fowlers and the Mitchells - promising dramatic developments for EastEnders viewers throughout the coming year.
EastEnders continues to air on BBC One and iPlayer, with Stephen Aaron-Sipple's portrayal of Mark Fowler Jr set to become a significant part of the soap's ongoing narrative.
