Ex-EastEnders star Charlie Clements working as a chef after acting work dried up
Former EastEnders star Charlie Clements has been working as a chef after acting work dried up.
The 33-year-old actor played character Bradley Branning in the hit BBC soap for five years.
And he was involved in a string of gripping storylines with his former co-star Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) before leaving Albert Square.
His character famously fell off the top of the Queen Vic pub over a decade ago and met his end trying to avoid police capture.
Since leaving the show Charlie has worked regularly in the theatre, but saw his career abruptly stop when the coronavirus pandemic got the theatre industry stuck in its tracks.
He had been due to start rehearsals for London’s West End show Mousetrap, but he had to put those plans on hold and swapped the stage for a chef’s apron to earn some money.
But after time spent working in a kitchen to make ends meet, Charlie revealed he was returning to acting after his prolonged break.
"Last day as a chef today!” penned Charlie to his 3,614 Instagram followers. “On to rehearsals next week… #actorslife #actor #acting #work #theatre."
He later shared a picture of London’s St Martins Theatre, with a red neon sign promoting Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, which is in its 69th year.
“Back in the saddle,” added Bradley.
Charlie's former on-screen dad, Jake Wood, who played Max Branning, put a fist arm and sun emoji, to which the actor replied: "Thanks for your help with the decision!"
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In a later post Jake praised Charlie for returning to his first love.
“Proud of you Charlie,” wrote Jake, with a clapping hands emoji and heart emojis for good measure.
Rita Simons, who played Roxy Mitchell in the long-running soap, beamed: “Whoop! Well done Chaz! X.”
And some of Charlie’s fans were also keen to congratulate the star for returning to acting.
“Whatchya off to do? You're amazing! Culinary skills and an actor impresario xxx,” wrote one fan.
A different follower added: “Good on ya Charlie,” while another account added: “Suits you! Good luck though – how lovely…”
Remember Eastenders' Bradley Branning? He's unrecognisable now
Charlie starred in EastEnders from January 2006 to February 2010, before he was tragically killed off.
But the actor won Best Exit prizes at the British Soap and Inside Soap awards following his dramatic roof fall in his fatal final scene.
He has since gone on to star as Jake O'Reilly in Casualty in 2013, before starring as Charlie Brackenreid in Murdoch Mysteries.
He's also played a part in drama Elizabeth And Her Enemies.
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