Former EastEnders star Liam Hatch has candidly addressed the wave of criticism he received from viewers after being cast as a schoolboy in the long-running BBC soap, despite being significantly older than the character he was playing.
The Controversial Casting That Sparked Fan Backlash
In 2024, Hatch, then 29, joined the cast of EastEnders as Logan, a Year 12 school bully who intimidated characters Amy Mitchell and Denzel Danes. The casting decision by executive producers Kate Oates and Chris Clenshaw immediately drew bewilderment from fans, as the actor was roughly a decade older than the typical 16 or 17-year-old student he was portraying.
The role was a brief one, featuring in just a single episode, but it ignited a significant reaction on social media platforms. Viewers were quick to point out the age discrepancy, with many also noting Hatch's Instagram presence, which featured athletic, topless gym photos and other mature content that contrasted sharply with the image of a sixth-form student.
Hatch's Response to the Criticism
Now, the actor and personal trainer has opened up about the experience in detail. On the Rokman Podcast, Hatch joked about the online comments, stating, "The grief I had from it, from Twitter – I sell mortgages, I'm 41, the oldest man alive." He was quick to clarify his actual age at the time of filming, saying, "I was 26."
He revealed that friends and family checked in on him after seeing the mockery online. "All my friends and family were like 'Are you okay? People are taking the p**s out of you. Your age, looks,'" he shared. Hatch took it in good humour, responding, "I was like 'Oh God, I'm not that bad. I'm sure I SPF every day. I look good.'"
He even found a silver lining, noting his father's amusement at the media attention. "My dad was loving it, he was like 'He's on The Sun!' I think I'm the only man to be on Page 3 of The Sun topless!" Hatch philosophically concluded, "I always say to everyone, if your name is coming out of other people's mouths, you've done something."
Social Media Reaction and Lasting Impressions
At the time the episode aired, fan commentary was swift and pointed. One viewer quipped on social media, "Why is this 44-year-old man walking around in a school uniform and picking fights with the local kids?" Another wrote, "Almost certain that this schoolboy sold me my mortgage."
In a subsequent interview with The Guardian, Hatch admitted the "44" comment had stuck with him. "I was looking in the mirror, thinking 'surely I can't be looking 44 – that's five years younger than my dad!'" he said. He countered that some of his personal training clients believed he was around 23 years old.
Addressing the core issue for an actor, Hatch explained his approach was to focus on performance over appearance. "As long as the performance is showing you are that character, that's what's important to an actor. You're not looking at the appearance but the emotion," he stated. To prepare for the role of a modern teen, he worked on updating his posture and body language, observing that today's generation has "more suave" in how they carry themselves.
Aside from his brief acting career, Liam Hatch works full-time as a personal trainer and is a dedicated athlete, regularly competing in HYROX fitness challenges.
