LIFE is a world away from Walford for Charlie Clements after he left EastEnders in a dramatic storyline back in 2010.
The actor, now 37, played Bradley Branning from 2006 to 2010 and was introduced to the Square as the son of Max (played by Jake Wood) and Rachel Branning (Suki Smith).
Viewers will remember him as a mild mannered, serious young man, who married Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
At the time viewers dubbed him ‘Boring Bradley’ but one of his most memorable storylines was when his wife Stacey did the dirty on him with his dad Max, breaking his heart.
Bradley went on to have his own affair with beautician Preeti Choraria (Babita Pohoomull) and was once taken hostage by Nick Cotton (John Altman) in Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) café.
However, he met his untimely end in February 2010 during a special live episode to mark EastEnders’ 25th anniversary.
He fell dramatically from the roof of the Queen Victoria pub while being chased by police after admitting he killed Archie Mitchell.
At the time he said of his departure: “Time to move on and take on some new roles.
“I will always be grateful to EastEnders – I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful people whilst being given some fantastic storylines.”
He told The Express, it was “scary” to think about a post-EastEnders life, saying: “It takes up so much of your life. I guess it’s auditions, auditions, auditions for me. I just hope I get work.”
It took some time but he got the part of Jake O’Reilly in Casualty (2013) before appearing in an episode of the Canadian drama series, Murdoch Mysteries (2015).
A year later, he appeared in Channel 5’s miniseries, Henry VIII & His Six Wives and in 2017 was cast in the television documentary Elizabeth and Her Enemies.
However, the COVID pandemic saw him swap acting for a more ordinary life, working as a chef and later at a garden centre.
He and his wife Rebecca Clatworthy have three children and with family life comes new responsibilities.
Opening up about the career change during an episode of Loose Women, Charlie said: “Acting is my first love and career choice, but at the end of the day, I’m a jobbing actor. I’ve got bills to pay and a family to support like everyone else.”
When he is not working, Charlie loves to get on the golf course. His Instagram profile shows his passion for the sport.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans– Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning– Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre– Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs– Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth– Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman– Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden– After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers– The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen– The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
Last year, he was pictured wearing a bright turquoise polo shirt with the caption: “Swapped the chef whites for the greens.”.
So, from acting to becoming a chef, to becoming a greenkeeper, there is life after the square.
EastEnders is on BBC1 on Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7.30pm and Thursday at 7.30pm and Friday at 8pm.
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