He rose to fame in the 90s when he arrived in Albert Square as part of EastEnders new Italian family.
And thanks to his three year stint on the BBC show Michael Greco, 54, went on to claim two British Soap Awards for Sexiest Male as well as being voted the Sexiest Male Soap Star Ever by Radio Times readers.
But post Albert Square he would win greater fame – and fortune – on the poker circuit, where he competed professionally and raked in more than £1million in winnings, once making an impressive $250k in a single day.
The actor also raised eyebrows with a string of high profile relationships, dating glamour models and Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring – who dumped him due his ‘party lifestyle.’
Nowadays, Michael prefers a much quieter life and since leaving the BBC soap, he has worked in various roles such as Pickanchoos in Aladdin at Poole’s Lighthouse Theatre, the lead role in Naked in London, and a copper in Casualty.
The TV star has also appeared on Celebrity Love Island and Soapstar Superstar.
Michael Greco rose to fame in the 90s when he arrived in Albert Square as part of EastEnders new Italian family – The Di Marco’s
And thanks to his three year stint on BBC show he went on to claim two British Soap Awards for Sexiest Male as well as being voted the Sexiest Male Soap Star Ever by Radio Times readers (pictured in 2022)
In 1998, Michael first appeared on screens as Beppe Di Marco, who worked as a police officer, taxi driver and nightclub owner, fell out with Grant Mitchell, and fell for Grant’s ex-wife Tiffany.
The Di Marco family were introduced as rivals to the infamous Mitchell family. Alongside Michael, the line-up included his on-screen grandparents Bruno and Luisa, as well as their daughter-in-law and Beppe’s mother, Rosa (Louise Jameson).
His brother Gianni (Marc Bannerman) and younger sisters Teresa (Leila Birch) and Nicky (Carly Hillman) as well as Beppe’s son, Joe (Jake Kyprianou) also featured.
They proved a success in Walford with their family-run Giuseppe’s restaurant, but by the time 2000 had arrived, then-show executive John Yorke decided to cull the family, apart from Beppe and Joe who he kept on until 2002.
Michael left the soap in an exit which he described as ‘disappointing,’ when his character left Walford after finding out his mother had suffered a heart attack.
He sold his nightclub to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and he moved back to Leicester and previously suggested that he would have preferred a bigger send-off.
Speaking to FruitySlots.com, he said: ‘There were circumstances that prevented me from having a bigger send off, I won’t go into them as it’s water under the bridge.’
He added: ‘But I just left in a cab, didn’t I? I said goodbye to Lynn in the cafe and then had a packet of crisps and drove to Leicester.’
The Di Marco family were introduced as rivals to the Mitchell family. Alongside Michael, the line-up included his on-screen grandparents Bruno and Luisa, as well as Beppe’s mother, Rosa
Although he now leads a much quieter life he once became engaged to a glamour model Linsey Dawn McKenzie (pictured in 2009) and was dumped by Stephanie Waring due his partying
Stephanie, who played Cindy Cunningham, dated Micheal from October 2016 to April 2017, but a source said: ‘Michael loves a night out and is a bit of a party boy’ (pictured in 2016)
Speaking in an interview earlier this year, Michael said he faced a ‘tough life’ as a soap actor, having swapped the screen for a poker career.
He told The Mirror: ‘I didn’t really have a social life. I never went out. Sometimes you’d have 25 scenes a day. Say you got home at 6pm or 7pm, you were knackered, mentally and physically exhausted.’
Michael went on to play poker for six years and admitted: ‘I remember when I won $250,000 one day. I put it in my rucksack and walked to my hotel, which was literally just across the road. This was during the day but I was watching everywhere in case I thought someone was going to follow me.’
‘I was walking out of the casino but I was paranoid in case anyone had seen me with that amount of money, so I sprinted to the hotel room and put it in my safe.’
‘I was earning good money, I had a great lifestyle, it was really good fun. Then I got bored of poker. I wanted to get back to what I loved doing, which was acting.’
In 2005 he competed in the first series of Celebrity Love Island where he managed to come in 4th place.
The show was won by presenter Jayne Middlemiss and Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave, with the likes of Calum Best, Paul Danan and Rebecca Loos also starring.
The following year he starred on Soapstar Superstar, before appearing on Casualty in 2017, making a cameo appearance on Holby City in 2022 and featuring on Netflix series African Queens in 2023.
Elsewhere, 2020 saw a huge personal milestone for Michael, as he became a dad at 50, when his girlfriend Helen Harris had a baby.
After EastEnders he competed in the first series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005 where he managed to come in 4th place
Over the years he has worked in various roles such as Pickanchoos in Aladdin, the lead role in Naked in London, and a copper in Casualty (pictured in Holby City)
Sharing the news at the time, he said despite being a ‘very private person,’ he couldn’t wait to share.
Michael wrote: ‘First time daddy at 51! Probably the greatest post I’ve ever shared. Cant explain how emotional it was for me to be told that I am to be a father for the very first time, with my absolute soul mate.
‘I’m normally a very private person but I couldn’t help reveal my utter joy and I just want to tell the world!
‘In these devastating times that we are all facing right now, this is the best news I could ever dream of. My heart is full and I love you more than life itself Baby G.
The couple later went on to welcome their second child in 2024 and shared a sweet series of photos from their ‘beautiful baby boy’s’ birth.
Michael shared his gratitude, admitting he was the ‘happiest man alive’ following the arrival of newborn, Gianni.
However, the actor’s life hasn’t always been so private as he once had a string of high-profile romances including a dalliance with Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring, an engagement to a glamour model before being linked to Lisa Faulkner and Dani Behr.
In 1998 he became engaged to Linsey Dawn McKenzie, who rose to fame modelling topless in Sunday Sport.
2020 saw a huge personal milestone for Michael, as he became a dad at 50, when his girlfriend Helen Harris had a baby
She became pregnant twice during their 15-month relationship but sadly miscarried.
Michael later dated Hollyoaks star Stephanie, who played Cindy Cunningham from October 2016 to April 2017, but they split up over his party lifestyle.
A pal of the duo told The Sun at the time: ‘Michael loves a night out and is a bit of a party boy, but Steph is more of a homebody.
‘She was really keen for them to settle down and set up home together, but it was just too much too fast for him. Steph is pretty cut up about it, she really liked him and hoped that their relationship would last the distance.’
A source close to the couple had previously claimed they dated for a few months before going on a break as ‘Micheal wasn’t as ready to get serious’, before reuniting in October 2016.
In 2023, the Di Marco family looked unrecognisable as they reunited 25 years after leaving the soap
In 2023, the Di Marco family looked unrecognisable as they reunited 25 years after leaving the soap.
The co-stars beamed as they reunited over two decades on, with the only person missing from being Marc, who played Gianni.
Michael shared the photo and wrote: ‘Not seen this lot for 25 years! My EastEnders mum and sisters. Was incredible to catch up [with] them all and go down memory lane Di Marco family.’
Fans were loving the reunion as one wrote under the snap: ‘Di Marcos should come back to the Square. It’s never been the same.’
Another posted: ‘No one has aged!!! And you still beautiful.’
Earlier this year, although he hasn’t appeared in Walford for several years, Michael revealed he still earns money from the show (pictured with Clare Wilkie as Sandra on the soap in 2000)
Earlier this year, although he hasn’t appeared in Walford for several years, Michael revealed he still earns money from the show.
Speaking to Scott McGlynn on the Celebrity Skin Talk Show in February, he admitted: ‘Yeah I know about the re-runs. I get a £1.27 repeat fees every six months from episodes.’
The actor also shared that he wasn’t invited back for the show’s 40th anniversary.
Despite a number of former actors reprising their roles, Michael expressed disappointment that producers didn’t reach out to him.
He said: ‘I didn’t get the call, I wasn’t asked to go back at all. I’m not on their radar so, I think if wasn’t asked back to help with their 40th I don’t think I never go back.’
Michael added: ‘If they want you back they get you back. I used to be in the vice squad maybe that be my way to join back in, and arrest someone you know.’
