A former 90s boyband star who once topped the charts with East 17 has returned to his pre-fame career as a roofer in London. John Hendy, now 55, is virtually unrecognisable from his pin-up days and is happily working on rooftops in Lewisham.
From Pop Stardom to Roofing
East 17 formed in Walthamstow in 1991 and quickly rose to fame with hits like Stay Another Day, Around The World, and Steam. Unlike clean-cut acts such as Take That, they cultivated an edgier image. The band included Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, Terry Coldwell, and John Hendy. However, their success was marred by a 1997 scandal when Brian Harvey made controversial comments about ecstasy.
Since then, the band has undergone multiple reunions and splits. Terry Coldwell continues to tour under the East 17 name, while Tony Mortimer earns nearly £100,000 annually from royalties for Stay Another Day. Brian Harvey has frequently spoken about his financial struggles.
John's New Life
John left the group permanently in 2018 to focus on his family—wife Nina and their two children. He now works as a roofer and shares glimpses of his daily life on TikTok. In a recent video, he said: "We're doing a bit of slating today. How's everybody's day going?"
During a 2024 interview, John revealed: "When I started working roofing I thought I was gonna get really badly put down. But I've had respect from people saying 'good for you getting back on the roof after what you've been through'. Some people say to me, 'you must have no money'. I'm like, well we never got any money! That's what people don't get."
Public Reaction
Fans have reacted positively to John's career change. One TikTok user commented: "Love how you get on with it and don't bang on about 'where are my millions', top bloke." Another said: "If you turned up scaffolding I'd still ask for your autograph. East 17 was my teens."
John explained his departure from the band: "I've left the group over personal problems between me, Robbie, and Terry, not because I've had a baby or anything else. It's time to move on and I'm not getting any younger. My plans are enjoying life and living with my family."
