Former Heartbeat and EastEnders star Nick Berry, 60, was spotted looking unrecognisable with a bushy beard and grey hair while grabbing coffee near his home in Epping, Essex. The actor, who played heartthrob Nick Rowan in the ITV police series and Simon Wicks on EastEnders, has largely stayed out of the spotlight since quitting his TV career to become a stay-at-home dad.
Berry, who married Rachel Robertson in 1994, decided to prioritise family life after the birth of their sons Louis and Finley. He previously said his busy schedule was 'robbing' him of time with his young children. The actor last appeared on screen in 2012 for Pat Butcher's funeral on EastEnders.
Despite his long hiatus, Berry has not ruled out a return to acting. In a 2011 interview, he stated: 'I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it. While I'd never say never, I'm genuinely happy as I am.'
Berry's former EastEnders co-star Sid Owen praised him in his autobiography, recalling how Berry offered him lifts to work when Owen was living in a squat. Owen described Berry as 'a lovely, modest guy.'
