Shaun Williamson: Barry Evans actor makes play for soap role despite quitting EastEnders

“They wouldn’t really let you do much. So I just wanted to do something different, it just happened my first job was pantomime. 

“It was great fun and it pays well. I just wanted to do anything different. I’d gladly go into another soap for a few years.”

After appearing as Barry for a decade, he said he was typecast, with the drama going out to millions several times a week.

However, the actor has no regrets, after he continued to work in television, and even starred as a parody of himself in award-winning programme Extras with Ricky Gervais.