He achieved heartthrob status in two of the biggest shows of the ’80s and ’90s.
But 38 years later, his boyish looks have faded as the former TV star seemed a world away from his heyday as he flaunted his silver hair and thick, bushy beard.
Dressed in a loose-fitting T-shirt, baggy jeans and dark sneakers, the star shielded his eyes from the scorching sun with trendy sunglasses.
Eleven years after quitting television, the star quit to stay at home and work as a father.
But can YOU guess the star?
Who is he? He achieved heartthrob status at Heartbeat and EastEnders in the 80s and 90s before disappearing from the limelight a decade ago… but can YOU guess who this TV legend is?
Changed Look: It’s Nick Berry! Heading out for coffee on Sunday, the actor seemed a world away from his EastEnders and Heartbeat heydays as he emerged with silver hair and a thick, bushy beard
It’s Heartbeat and EastEnders star Nick Berry!
Nick rose to fame in the ’80s and ’90s for portraying Simon Wicks on EastEnders and Sergeant Nick Rowan on Heartbeat.
The 60-year-old star, who made his last TV appearance in 2012 at the funeral of his mother, EastEnders’ Pat Butcher, cut a very low key figure on the performance.
Dressed in a loose-fitting T-shirt, baggy jeans and dark sneakers, the star shielded his eyes from the scorching sun with trendy sunglasses.
Nick had a distinguished acting career on British television but left the screen at the age of 39 to raise his two sons.
Out and about: Dressed in a loose-fitting T-shirt, baggy jeans and dark sneakers, the star shielded his eyes from the scorching sun with trendy sunglasses
On the Square: The 60-year-old star, who made his last TV appearance at the funeral of his on-screen EastEnders mother Pat Butcher in 2012, cut a very low key figure at the appearance (pictured as Simon Wicks in 1985)
After finding fame as Simon Wicks in 1985’s EastEnders, Berry left in 1990 and moved to the Yorkshire Dales for six years as Heartbeat’s Sergeant Nick Rowan before taking on the role of harbor master Mike Nicholls in Harbor Lights.
He reached heartthrob status when hordes of screaming fans besieged the BBC studios where the soap was filmed.
There was even a brief pop career: in 1986, Berry released a single, “Every Loser Wins”, which became the second best-selling record in the UK that year.
Berry disappeared from the scene except for the filming of the police drama “In Deep” with cop Liam Ketman opposite Stephen Tompkinson, which ran from 2001 to 2003.
He left acting to become a father to two sons, Louis, now 27, and Finley, 24.
On the road: Nick had a stellar acting career on British television but left the screen at the age of 39 to raise his two sons
He was rumored to have been offered a £2million gold handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late 1980s.
During his time in the spotlight, he is said to have amassed an estimated £5million – enough to fund a sprawling home in Epping, Essex, and a beach house in Hove.
Speaking to the Chron in 2011 about his decision to step down from the spotlight, he said: “I made a choice to be a stay-at-home dad and I’ve loved it…”
“I always said I could go back to when the boys were teenagers, but the longer you don’t do something, the harder it gets to do, and I haven’t really missed it.” While I would never say never, but I’m really happy the way I am.”
Signed: There were rumors he was offered a £2million gold handcuffs deal by EastEnders executives when he resigned in the late 1980s
On the road: He appeared reticent when he emerged onto the big screen a decade after his success
“The work was great. They drive you everywhere, give you something to eat every five minutes and tell you what to do and where to go. What bothered me was that the guys were very young and I felt like I was on the road filming all the time…
“I was blessed with these little people and yet I wasn’t really there.” I realized I wanted to be home.’
Despite his spectacular film success, East London-born Berry said he was not a born actor.
He said, “I’ve never felt so comfortable in the limelight.” Some egos can be dispensed with. “A lot of actors take themselves so seriously, but by and large you get paid to show off.”
Exit: Despite his spectacular film success, East London-born Berry said he wasn’t a born actor