EastEnders stars with second jobs – bricklaying, property and hairdressing

Kat Slater is left horrified in EastEnders, after Freddie Slater announces he is embarking on a new career – selling photos of his feet.

Freddie decides to push ahead with his plan to make money for the family, but Kat is not so keen.

While Freddie is trying to make money on-screen in his new career path, a number of EastEnders stars have led different careers away from the soap too – including hairdressing, property development and modelling.

READ MORE: EastEnders fans brand newbie Emma 'master villain' as she 'rivals Janine'

Here, Daily Star takes a look at some of the EastEnders stars with second jobs.

Shona McGarty

Whitney Jackson star Shona McGarty has impressed viewers with her singing talents on the soap – but did you know that she has a musical passion away from EastEnders too?

Shona is part of a Gospel Choir in Bedfordshire and recently took to Instagram to share a clip of the group performing.

She captioned the post: "Such an honour. A truly humbling experience. We will remember them."

Shona's fellow soap stars flocked to the comments section to praise the actress, with Stacey Slater star Lacey Turner saying: "Your talent is endless! I love you."

Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt added: "Stunning. Just stunning. You absolutely smashed it."

James Farrar

Hunky Zack Hudson actor James Farrar hasn't just flaunted his good looks on screen, but on the runway too.

Away from the soap, James is represented by SELECT Model Management and has walked the runway for brands including Dolce and Gabbana and Jimmy Choo.

He has regularly been seen sharing his catwalk looks on Instagram.

That's not all, as his modelling career has seen him work with iconic stars such as Kate Moss and Barbara Palvin, to name a few.

Taking to Instagram to share a snap of him in a dapper grey suit with a red pattern scarf and tie, the actor captioned the stunning post: "Walking @dolcegabbana with some of the biggest names in the business… @selectmodellondon #SelectMen."

However, in 2022, the actor revealed that he stepped away from modelling after his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

Speaking to TV Magazine, he said that modelling often meant he worked out of the country and that he did not want to be away from his mother, leading him to take up the role of Zack in EastEnders.

"One of the reasons I joined EastEnders was because of my mum, who has cancer."

He added: "It meant that if these are my last days with her, we spent them together rather than me travelling the world."

Jaz Deol

Jaz Deol first joined EastEnders in 2019 as the handsome Kheerat Panesar, before the character made a dramatic exit from the square in 2022.

However away from the soap, Jaz also has a second job as a property developer and in 2021, set up the firm JHD Homes.

He shared photographs of his company logo on social media, saying in an Instagram post: "And so it begins! Here is my first BTL property in my portfolio."

Jaz also shared a selfie following the company announcement, saying: "I call this photo – 'the face you make when you've finally exchanged and completed'."

Dayle Hudson

Peter Beale star Dayle Hudson has previously revealed that he worked as a bricklayer in between acting auditions.

The star completed his apprenticeship before graduating from drama school and then worked as a bricklayer until he landed his big break on EastEnders.

Speaking to The Sun, Dayle also explained that bricklaying has some health benefits too and has helped to keep him in shape.

He said: "Luckily I've kept myself in shape since secondary school, even working as a bricklayer I always found time to go the gym and stuff and even though I'm not Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson I'm pretty confident.

"I did my apprenticeship before I got into drama school and then I graduated from drama school and I just went straight back on the building site and then auditioned once or twice a week and kept doing that."

Louisa Lytton

Louisa Lytton arrived on Albert Square in 2005 as Ruby Allen, the daughter of villain Johnny Allen, before departing the soap one year later.

The star has since revealed that after her first soap exit, she had a second job as a hairdresser.

Louisa worked as a hairdresser between acting jobs, after qualifying with a foundation diploma in the profession in 2014.

Speaking to her social media followers, Louisa said: "Let’s talk about when I’m out of work and I decide I want to do other things like barbering.

"I don’t think I’ve cut anyone’s hair since my dad’s in 2014 when I passed."

However, she has continued to act, appearing as Rizzo in a touring production of Grease, along with returning to EastEnders between 2018 to 2021.

Aaron Sidwell

Like many actors, former EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell shared his experiences of working in multiple jobs while auditioning for roles.

His response came after Hayley Slater star Kate Jarvis was hit by vile online comments after she revealed she had worked as a security guard at B&M in between acting appearances.

The actress worked at the shop to support her young family since leaving her role as Hayley, with fellow stars flocking to social media to share their support for Kate and their own experiences of working second jobs.

Aaron Sidwell, who played Steven Beale until 2017, said in a tweet: "My 'other' jobs since I began my career 13 years ago: scaffolder, fishmonger, waiter, barman, chef, promo worker, cruise ship guest entertainer, singer In working man’s clubs.

"It’s called being an adult."

Tamzin Outhwaite

Meanwhile, Tamzin Outhwaite praised Kate for prioritising taking care of her family, saying that she herself had worked as a waitress, bartender, painter, driver and promotion girl in between auditions.

Tamzin spent around five years on the soap in two separate stints, playing Mel Owen from 1998 to 2002, and then from 2018 to 2019.

"It’s what artists do to earn a living. They work in between jobs," she wrote on Instagram.

"It’s called grafting! Or not being afraid of hard work… or loving your family enough to drop your dream for a bit to earn a living so the family can live life.

"And there is no shame in wanting to work hard to make sure your offspring are cared for. #noshame."

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