A former EastEnders favourite has left fans stunned with his dramatically changed appearance in a recent social media post, shared over a decade after his departure from the iconic BBC soap.
A Distinguished New Look for the Former Soap Star
The actor in question is Neil McDermott, now 45, who played the complex character Ryan Malloy. In a new Instagram selfie taken with his wife, Michelle Edwards, McDermott sports a sophisticated look featuring grey hair, glasses, and a moustache, a far cry from his clean-shaven, youthful appearance during his Walford years.
McDermott first joined EastEnders in 2009 and remained until 2011, though he made several guest returns in 2014, 2016, and most recently in February 2023. His character was central to one of the soap's most famous plotlines.
Pivotal Role in a Legendary Whodunit
Ryan Malloy was a key suspect in the monumental 'Who Killed Archie Mitchell?' mystery, which climaxed on Christmas Day 2009. Archie, played by Larry Lamb, was murdered by a blow to the head from the Queen Victoria bust.
Ryan's romantic involvement with Archie's fiancée, Janine Butcher, immediately placed him in the frame for the crime. The killer was ultimately revealed to be Stacey Slater in February 2010, after Archie had raped her. Upon learning the truth, Ryan attempted to protect Stacey and flee Walford with her, though she eventually left alone.
Ryan's tumultuous storyline also saw him:
- Have a fling with Ronnie Mitchell.
- Become the father of Stacey Slater's daughter, Lily, a paternity reveal that gripped viewers.
- Act as the estranged half-brother of Whitney Dean.
- Kill Rob Grayson in 2011, the man who was sexually exploiting Whitney, leading to his character fleeing the Square.
Life After Albert Square: Stage, Screen, and Family
Since leaving the soap, Neil McDermott has forged a successful career in theatre. He has appeared in major productions including Shrek The Musical, Pretty Woman: The Musical, and is currently playing Mr. Wormwood in the acclaimed stage show of Matilda. He has also toured with productions of The Wind in the Willows and The Sound of Music.
He hasn't abandoned television entirely, having taken roles in series such as Doctors, Casualty, and Inspector George Gently.
Off-stage, McDermott is a devoted family man. He married actress Michelle Edwards in 2007, and the couple are doting parents to three children: daughter Arabella, son Roddy, and newborn baby Maria. In August 2023, he announced Maria's birth on Instagram, writing a heartfelt tribute to his wife: "Thank You Michelle for carrying our beautiful daughter... I don’t know how you do it."
The actor frequently shares sweet snaps from family holidays, showing a life happily lived away from the dramatic twists of Albert Square.
