Exclusive: Nick Berry, who made a rare public appearance nearly 20 years after quitting acting, looks nothing like his EastEnders character Simon Wicks.
Over the weekend, Nick Berry, who portrayed Simon “Wicksy” Wicks on EastEnders from 1985 to 1990, appeared practically unrecognisable.
The former soap idol was spotted visiting his neighbourhood bakery while sporting a pair of blue trousers and a t-shirt.
The 59-year-old actor, who was recognisable for his work in Harbour Lights, In Deep, and Heartbeat, retired from performing in 2003.
After that, he managed Valentine Productions, his own production firm, before taking a complete retirement in October 2019.
Nick dated his co-star, 67-year-old Kathy Beale actress Gillian Taylforth, while he was on EastEnders.
Between 1985 and 1988, the on-screen stepson and stepmother had a three-year relationship.
His persona, Simon, was the biological father of Steven Beale and the son of Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) and Brian Wicks (Leslie Schofield).
When Ian and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) were still married, Cindy persuaded Ian that he was the boy’s father.
In contrast, Simon and Cindy later made up and moved out of Walford as a family of three in 1990.
After getting back together with Ian and moving back to Albert Square in 1992, Cindy raised Steven as her own.
Only once has Nick’s character returned for a brief scene, in an episode from 2012 that marked the passing of his on-screen mother, Pam St Clement.
Nick was a Sgt. Nick Rowan on ITV’s Heartbeat after leaving EastEnders.
Following his smash success, Every Loser Wins, which was the UK’s second-best-selling single in 1986, Nick recorded the song’s title in 1992.
In 1994, Nick wed Rachel Robertson, an actress from The Jungle Book. The couple’s two sons are Finley, 25, and Louis, 28.
To spend more time with his family, Nick made the decision to leave the entertainment industry.
I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it, he told MailOnline in 2011.
“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, and I haven’t really missed it.”
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