EastEnders 90s Heartthrobs: Where Are They Now? Fame, Struggles, and Surprising Transformations

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Paul Nicholls (Joe Wicks)

As troubled teen Joe Wicks, Paul Nicholls became the ultimate 90s pin-up. His portrayal of schizophrenia earned acclaim, while his brooding looks made him a magazine favourite. But behind the fame, Paul battled severe depression and addiction.

He left EastEnders after just two years, later admitting, “I didn’t want to be a heartthrob — I couldn’t handle the attention.” He struggled with alcohol and drugs before achieving sobriety in 2008. Sadly, the years that followed brought more hardship.

Paul faced a cancer scare in 2017, narrowly survived a horrific fall in Thailand that left him trapped in a rock pool for three days, and suffered a stroke the following year. Despite these ordeals, he’s remained resilient, returning to TV in Ackley Bridge, Law & Order: UK, and Phoenix Rise. Now in recovery, Paul says he’s focused on health and stability — a far cry from his chaotic early fame.

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Martine McCutcheon (Tiffany Mitchell)

Tiffany Mitchell’s shocking 1998 death remains one of EastEnders’ most unforgettable moments. Played by Martine McCutcheon, the feisty barmaid’s tragic final scene drew 22 million viewers — and tears across the nation.

Martine’s post-soap career soared with her hit single “Perfect Moment” and her role in Love Actually. But away from the cameras, she faced immense challenges, including chronic fatigue syndrome (ME), Lyme disease, and recurrent miscarriages.

At one point, she was declared bankrupt and confined to a wheelchair. “You feel like you’ve been beaten up by Mike Tyson,” she told Loose Women, describing her health battle. Through it all, Martine’s resilience shone. She welcomed her son Rafferty in 2015 and continues to appear on British TV, including Celebrity Gogglebox and The Masked Singer UK. Though she announced her split from husband Jack McManus in 2024, Martine remains one of the most admired figures to come out of Albert Square.