A former EastEnders star looked barely recognisable in a newly-shared snap, 14 years after leaving the BBC soap.
The British actor sported a distinguished look with grey hair, glasses and a moustache as he shared an Instagram selfie with his wife.
The star played a crucial role as one of the suspects in the whodunit episode Who Killed Archie Mitchell?, which aired on Christmas 2009.
He joined the hit soap the prior year until 2011, but made a few return appearances throughout the years.
He had a fling Ronnie Mitchell, has been married to Janine Butcher and was also the stepfather of the child of a Slater sister.
The actor in question was the estranged half sibling of Whitney Dean – but did you guess who it is?
A major EastEnders star looked barely recognisable in a newly-shared snap, 14 years after leaving the soap
The star played a crucial role as one of the suspects in the whodunit episode Who Killed Archie Mitchell?, which aired on Christmas 2009 (Larry Lamb as Archie Mitchell pictured)
It’s Neil McDermott, 45, who played Ryan Malloy in the BBC series but returned for guest stints in 2014, 2016, with his final appearance being in February 2023.
Ryan was also the father Stacey Slater’s baby daughter Lily, where his paternity reveal left fans on edge.
The hunky man was one of the main suspects in the murder of Archie, played by Larry Lamb – who was bashed over the head by the bust of the Queen Victoria.
Ryan has a relationship with Archie’s fiancée, Janine which put him in the frame as a suspect for the murder.
It was eventually revealed, the killer was actually Stacey in an episode airing in February 2010, after Archie had raped her.
But when Ryan learnt the truth about Stacey, he tried to protect her and run away with her, but she ended up leaving Albert Square on her own.
Just one year later, Ryan killed Rob Grayson, the man who had been sexually exploiting Whitney.
In 2011, his character fled Walford but made brief returns throughout time, which showed Ryan eventually turned himself into the police.
It’s Neil McDermott, 45, who played Ryan Malloy in the BBC series but returned for guest stints in 2014, 2016, with his final appearance being in February 2023
Ryan was also the father Stacey Slater’s baby daughter Lily, where the unveil of his paternity left fans on edge (Ryan and Stacey pictured on the show in 2010)
In 2011, his character, (centre) fled Walford but made brief returns throughout time, which showed Ryan eventually turned himself into the police
After quitting the soap Neil, who is a doting dad to three kids, embarked a brilliant career on stage, appearing in Shrek The Musical, Pretty Woman and is currently playing in Matilda as Mr Wormwood.
Additionally, he toured with production of Wind in the Willows and The Sound of Music.
But Neil didn’t entirely turn his back on TV roles because he appeared in shows such as Doctors, Casualty and Inspector George Gently over the years.
When he is off-duty, he shares sweet snaps from his family holidays, as he shares daughter Arrabella, son Roddy, and newborn Maria with the actress Michelle Edwards.
In August 2023, Neil announced he and his wife had welcomed a baby girl as he penned in a post: ‘Welcome to the world. Maria Jolene McDermott. Born Tuesday at 4.18pm. 8 pound 3’
In August 2023, Neil revealed his wife has welcomed their third child.
Taking to Instagram the actor shared a series of images of the new baby daughter.
He penned: ‘Welcome to the world. Maria Jolene McDermott. Born Tuesday at 4.18pm. 8 pound 3.’
Going on to praise wife Michelle Edwards for bringing their baby into the world, Ryan continued: ‘Thank You Michelle for carrying our beautiful daughter and going through another pregnancy and all that entails. I don’t know how you do it.
‘Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear DVT socks. I love you. ❤️
‘Thanks for all the messages. We are home, happy and safe. And Baby number 3 is thriving. And Babies number 1 and 2 adore their baby sister.’
Neil and the Inbetween star Michelle, 44, happily tied the knot in 2007.
