Where EastEnders' Moon family are now - lawyer, builder, and tragic death

Daily Mirror

02-05-2025

The Moon family first appeared on EastEnders in 2002, and while new generations and countless cousins have turned up, many of the originals have turned their backs on acting for good
The Moon family ran Albert Square in the noughties, crash landing into EastEnders and bringing plenty of drama with them. Quickly taking over the Queen Vic, the Moons became a central part of the BBC soap, quickly introducing more family members and vicious plot twists.
The Moons first arrived in 2002, when brothers Alfie and Spencer rolled into Walford. Alfie, played by Shane Richie, was even inspired specifically by the show's screenwriter Tony Jordan. "Alfie is basically me—a Jack The Lad in jeans, cowboy boots and dodgy shirts who wears his heart on his sleeve," he admitted.
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Funnily enough, Tony was against casting Shane in the role, with the future star at the time mainly known for his while mullet in Daz adverts. However, Shane's audition immediately won him over and set the tone for the introduction of the Moon family. There have been plenty of Moons over the years thanks to their immediate success on EastEnders, but while some have remained on the show on and off for decades, others had very different paths...
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Shane Richie - Alfie Moon
One of the most popular characters in EastEnders history, Alfie Moon transformed from a con artist into a pub landlord. When he first rocked up he stole the identity of the real new bar manager and planned to fleece the Queen Vic, but ended up falling in love with Albert Square.
Prior to the show, Shane was a musical star alongside his work on Daz adverts, appearing in Boogie Nights and Grease while also releasing two of his own albums. After three successful years, Shane left the soap with on-screen wife Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater when they drove off into the sunset on Christmas Day 2005.
With a hole left by Barbara Windsor's exit, bosses reintroduced Kat and Alfie in 2010 as the Queen Vic landlord and lady, which led to the controversial baby swap storyline when Ronnie Mitchell's baby died. Shane left once again in 2016, making appearances in Benidorm and hosting a number of BBC gameshows, as well as releasing a country music album in 2017.
That same year he returned as Alfie in EastEnders spin-off Redwater, but the drama was panned by viewers and critics and did not get a second series. Shane came back to the BBC soap for a short stint in May 2018 and for an explosive storyline at the end of the year building up to the Christmas Day episode, where Alfie was shoved down the stairs and feared dead. It seems he couldn't keep away, and made a permanent return in September 2022.
Away from the soap, Shane appeared in the Welsh castle series of I'm A Celebrity in 2020, and has kept busy with plenty of other acting work. He starred in the West End musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and also had appearances in plenty of films and game shows.
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Christopher Parker - Spencer Moon
Geeky Spencer idolised his big brother Alfie, but caused him a bit of bother when he rocked up unannounced with their nan in 2002. The unlucky-in-love lad had a failed fling with Kelly Taylor before a one-night stand with Vicky Fowler resulted in a surprise pregnancy.
The character was written off very strangely, with Spencer trapped in the remains of a collapsed helter skelter before fleeing off to live in Australia with Vicki and opening a bar in Sydney. Explaining the odd storyline, actor Chris was going through a tragic struggle behind closed doors.
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Chris Parker was rushed to hospital in November 2004 and took an extended period of leave from filming, with it being later revealed that he'd attempted to take his own life. After three weeks of his leave it was decided that Chris wouldn't permanently return to the role, and his last on-screen appearance was in early January 2005. An EastEnders spokesperson stated: "We'd like to thank Chris for all his hard work over the last two years and wish him the best of luck in the future."
Chris went on to work on CBBC and as an entertainment reporter on This Morning, and then moved to Los Angeles while working for the Fox owned TV Guide Channel. He also presented The Hollywood 411 and The Big Movie Show, and hosted Dead Famous Live alongside Gail Porter.
Now, it seems that he's done with the world of showbiz for good. In 2013 he started studying for a law degree in London and retrained as a solicitor. Now, he is a senior consultant at the law firm Clintons, and has even worked on legal issues for Hollywood movies.
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Hilda Braid - Nana Moon
Who could forget Nana Moon - the delightful grandmother of Alfie and Spencer. She was played by Hilda Braid, who had already had a long career appearing in West End productions and shows such as Crossroads, Z-Cars, Casualty, The Bill, My Family and ChuckleVision.
Nana was due to marry a pensioner she met at the seaside, but on her wedding day Alfie exposed him as a fraud who wanted to steal her possessions. When Shane decided to leave, bosses decided to kill Nana off because she had no remaining family in Albert Square. The character was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and died peacefully on the sofa while watching a dancing toy snowman with Alfie.
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Hilda had memory problems during her stint on the show and that BBC producers had to hire "a personal minder to assist her in learning lines and to ensure that she turned up in the right place at the right time." She, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease shortly after leaving EastEnders and moved into a nursing home in Hove.
Tragically, the beloved actress died in November 2007, two years after her soap exit. Her funeral was held in Britain, with many of her former co-stars present to mourn the star.
Tony Discipline - Tyler Moon
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Tyler was part of a new generation of Moons to arrive in Albert Square in June 2011, bringing even more chaos with them. Usually thinking with his fists rather than his head, Tyler won an unlicensed boxing match but suffered a fit and nearly died.
The heartthrob had a relationship with Whitney Dean and one night stand with Lauren Branning - with actor Tony Discipline dating actress Jacqueline Jossa in real life. After two years, Tyler left Walford to work on a cruise ship with brother Anthony.
In the real world, Tony took acting courses in Vienna and LA then did voice-over work and some short films before turning to nightclub events and video production. In 2019, however, he decided to take a break from TV and trained to become a firefighter.
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The star unveiled the move on Instagram by sharing a snap in his London Fire Brigade uniform, and jokingly admitted: 'I walking back to the fire truck and someone walked past and said: 'oh my God, what are you filming?' I said: 'No, I'm firefighter,' and he said: 'No, what is it? What show's it for?' There have been a few occasions like that.'
When he's not putting out fires he still dabbles in the acting world, with appearances in the films Override and The Drugs Game. Proving that he's very multi-talented, he also has a mobile cocktail bar.
Matt Lapinskas - Anthony Moon
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Tyler arrived with his brother Anthony, who suffered from a gambling addiction and lost all the family's money by betting against this sibling in a boxing match. He had an eye for the ladies and had relationships with Poppy Meadow, Jodie Gold, Amira Masood, and Alice Branning.
In real life, EastEnders was Matt's first job out of drama school and he was disappointed that he was forced to leave after a year in August 2012. 'They wanted to change things up a little bit. They said they couldn't really find much for me anymore so they'd be letting me go. It's a shock at that age and you panic,' he explained.
During his time on EastEnders, Matt got into a relationship with Whitney actress Shona McGarty but would later claimed it was 'like hell' as she was always partying. Matt was runner-up in Dancing on Ice in 2012 and went on to make a few stage appearances, but quickly changed tack.
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When lockdown hit he found himself with two films and a panto cancelled, so went back to being a builder to make ends meet. 'Just because you were on TV once doesn't mean that you can never do another job. You've got to be realistic with life,' he told The Mirror.
'It's not only being on telly in EastEnders or Dancing on Ice that you can make people laugh and cry and smile. When you're a builder you're doing it for them in another shape and form.'
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In July 2021, Matt was admitted to hospital with a mystery illness and underwent tests at hospital for a problem on his liver, but doesn't seem to have given an update since. Thankfully, it seems that he's happy and healthy and is even getting back to acting, performing in a play and even snagging a guest role in Hollyoaks.
David Essex - Eddie Moon
Cheeky chappie Eddie Moon was the likeable patriarch of the Moon family - but he had a dark past. During his short time in the soap, Eddie's strained relationship with son Michael was explored, and it was soon revealed he had another secret child. Away from the family drama, Eddie was a hit with the ladies and had romances with Carol Jackson and Vanessa Gold.
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Before turning to acting, singer David Essex had 19 UK Top 40 singles, 16 Top 40 albums and two numbers ones. The 'Rock On' singer was determined to differentiate himself from his character and even changed his accent. After just five months between June and October 2011, David walked away to focus on recording an acoustic album and going on a theatre tour.
"They want me back. I must admit I even shed a tear or two when I watched myself leave Albert Square,' he said. 'It was such a strong, emotional way to go, plus I made a lot of friends on the set and I will miss it."
As well as making more music, David wrote the score for 2013 film Traveller and appeared in 2014 British crime film The Gunners. He also dabbled in some more acting, joining the cast of The War of the Worlds for the 2016 theatre performance.
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Steve John Shepherd - Michael Moon
Possibly the most conniving character in EastEnders history, Michale Moon was Alfie's scheming second cousin who arrived in October 2010. The master manipulator is the father of Kat's son Tommy, had a relationship with Roxy, and was married to Janine Butcher.
Michael and Janine were a toxic couple and were solid for a time and welcomed daughter Scarlett, until he tried to murder her by corrupting nanny Alice. In a twisted ending, Alice turned on Michael and stab him, before Janine finished the job and ended her husband's life.
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"After two years of playing Michael, I feel now is the time to move on," explained actor Steve John Shepherd of his decision to leave in November 2013. "I have relished every minute of exploring his character. The good and the bad."
After leaving, Steve appeared in the 2015 movie Christmas Eve and children's series Hetty Feather, alongside crimes shows Karen Pirie and Shakespeare & Hathaway. He's also still working on stage to this day, with the huge role of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Joel Beckett - Jake Moon
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Alfie's cousin Jake arrived in the Square with his brother Danny in December 2004 - and it quickly became clear they were hiding a secret. The duo were working for crime boss Johnny Allen and Jake was always having to fix problems caused by his troublesome brother. After plenty of ups and downs Jake's fate was never fully revealed, as he was last seen walking out of Albert Square and being confronted by a stranger wanting his name.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in the show," Joel told the Mirror in 2006 when his exit was announced. "It's been a great experience, one which I'll never forget. However, I now feel that it is the right time to move on and further my career."
The actor is known for playing Terry the landlord in football hooligan movie Green Street, and Dawn's fiancé Lee in The Office. He went on to star in Casualty, The Bill, and Holby City, and switched over to ITV when he was cast as a paediatric consultant in Coronation Street in 2016. Most recently he appeared in comedy series The Feud alongside stars such as Larry Lamb and Jill Halfpenny.
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Jake Maskall - Danny Moon
One of the nastiest Moons to exist, Jake's brother Danny was also one of Johnny's henchmen. He nearly got murdered by his boss after setting fire to his house, but was allowed to escape with his life if he left Walford.
The character was axed after just a few months in July 2005, but came back in March the following year as it transpired that Jake was the hitman who murdered Dennis Watts on New Year 's Eve and had been living with Johnny. Danny was set to kill Phil and Grant Mitchell but was stopped by his brother Jake - who accidentally ended up killing him.
It was actually actor Jake Maskall who told EastEnders bosses he would only return if they killed his character off. "I didn't want EastEnders to be my defining moment,"he told Digital Spy in 2016. "Because I think that's the problem - you suddenly get stuck. "I want to draw a line under Danny Moon so I'm never tempted to go back, because I really needed to move on."
Since then he has appeared in Casualty, The Tudors and in E! series The Royals, but has since gone quiet in the showbiz world and seemed to give up on acting for good.