90s boyband star is now living very different life as a roofer in London

The popstar turned his back on fame following huge success in the mid-1990s that saw his group top the charts. Now he’s married with two children and has a very different career

A former 90s boyband member who once enjoyed immense fame in the UK has now returned to his pre-stardom career, leading a remarkably different lifestyle. Established in Walthamstow in 1991, East 17 distinguished themselves from other clean-cut pop acts such as Take That and Boyzone through their edgy image.

The quartet consisted of Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, Terry Coldwell, and John Hendy, achieving widespread recognition through numerous chart successes, including Stay Another Day, Around The World, and Steam. Their downfall began amid a scandal in 1997, however, when frontman Brian said using ecstasy was “cool” and “can make you a better person”.

Multiple reunions and splits have occurred since, with Terry continuing to tour under the East 17 name alongside Robbie Craig and Joe Livermore. Tony, meanwhile, who penned the group’s songs, reportedly earns nearly £100,000 annually from royalties generated by the festive hit Stay Another Day, while Brian has frequently discussed his financial difficulties.

John, however, is seemingly happy working as a roofer, and looks virtually unrecognisable from his 90s pin-up days. The 55-year-old is presently working on a property in Lewisham and shared footage on TikTok while on the job.

“What’s happening?” he began in a clip filmed from the rooftop. “We’re doing a bit of slating today. How’s everybody’s day going? Are you doing all right?”

During a 2024 interview, the band’s former backing vocalist and dancer 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, what you’ve done’.

“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.”

Reacting to John’s video, one TikTok user commended: “Love how you get on with it and don’t bang on about ‘where are my millions’, top bloke.”

A second person questioned: “No hate, but how is this guy still working when he sold the records he did? He should be retired and living it up somewhere hot.”

A third joked: “If you turned up scaffolding I’d still ask for your autograph. East 17 was my teens.”

While a fourth TikTok commenter remarked: “Omg still a roofer. I remember you from years ago in Walthamstow. Can’t believe you are still doing roofing. All the best.”

John departed the group permanently in 2018, expressing his wish to prioritise his family – wife Nina and their two children. Explaining his choice at the time, he straightforwardly stated it was “time to move on”.

“I’ve left the group over personal problems between me, Robbie, and Terry, not because I’ve had a baby or anything else, or my fiancé,” he clarified, before adding: “It’s time to move on and I’m not getting any younger but good luck to them. My plans are enjoying life and living with my family.”