John Hendy, the former East-17 star who rose to fame as a 90s boyband heartthrob, has embarked on a surprising new career as a roofer. The 55-year-old, who was an original member of the iconic group, now documents his manual labor work on social media, where he has garnered 6,000 TikTok followers.
From Pop Stardom to Roofing
Hendy, alongside Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, and Terry Coldwell, founded East-17 in Walthamstow in 1991. The band achieved 18 top 20 singles and four top 10 albums, becoming one of the UK's most popular boybands in the early to mid-90s. Known for their edgier image compared to Take That, they incorporated hip-hop and R&B influences into their music. Their most famous track, the 1994 Christmas number one 'Stay Another Day,' remains a seasonal staple, despite its tragic backstory—Tony wrote it about his brother's suicide.
Life After the Band
Despite the band's success, Hendy has faced financial difficulties. In the early days, East-17 members earned just £125 per week each, with their manager increasing wages by £25 every four months. While Tony continues to receive an estimated £97,000 annually from 'Stay Another Day' royalties, Hendy, Brian, and Terry were not included. During the coronavirus pandemic, Hendy and his family lived in a hostel for 18 months. He has spoken openly about his struggles, telling the Daily Mail in January 2025: 'I haven't even got a house, and people think you're millionaires.'
Embracing a New Path
Hendy now films himself working on roofs, hosting livestreams to chat with fans, and sharing videos with his wife and children. In one video, he is seen on a roof in Lewisham, wearing a hi-vis jacket and holding tools, clearly enjoying his work eight years after leaving East-17. Fans often recognize him in comments, with one saying, 'literally if you turned up scaffolding id still ask for your autograph east17 was my teens!' Others call him a 'proper grafter' and an 'amazing person.'
Despite questions about his finances, Hendy insists he has 'no regrets.' He stated: 'It's people's dream, innit? We've had the dream. You can't have one thing and not the other.' He left the group after falling out with Terry and new member Robbie Craig. Terry, the only remaining original member, expressed doubts about a reunion, saying, 'No one talks in the band, not one member.' A version of East-17 continues to perform at nostalgia events.
