The six huge stars you forgot were in EastEnders before finding fame – from X Factor judge to Bafta nominated star
EASTENDERS has produced many famous faces since it first hit our screens back in 1985
So who's starred in the cast of the beloved soap and gone on to great things?
Here's everything you need to know about which former stars have been catapulted to stardom and a few might surprise you.
Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest spoilers, pictures and gossip from the square.
Amanda Holden
12
Amanda Holden appeared on Eastenders in 1993 as Carmen
Credit: BBC
Amanda Holden is
a talented actress and
TV
personality, who rose to fame for her roles in television dramas such as Wild at Heart and Cutting It.
She is also a successful TV personality and talent show judge, appearing on shows like
Britain's Got Talent
and
The X Factor
.
EastEnders
But she appeared in EastEnders in 1994
a
s Carmen, who was
employed by
market inspector Richard Cole
to work on
Sanjay Kapoor
's clothing stall on
Bridge Street Market
.
Carmen began selling heart-patterned boxer-shorts on the market and a pair were sent anonymously to her boss Richard.
Richard assumed he had a fun secret admirer - until he saw Carmen selling them on the market.
After that stunt with the boxer-shorts Amanda's character was not seen again.
Most read in Soaps
Jonathan Lee Miller
12
Jonny Lee Miller in Eastenders
is best known for Sick Boy in the cult film Trainspotting and as Sherlock Holmes in the TV show Elementary.
He also played
EastEnders fans horrified as incel plot takes very dark twist and Joel's actions are exposed
But back in 1992, he played the part of the lazy Jonathan Hewitt in Eastenders.
Jonathan was the lazy layabout son of Christine Hewitt – who employed
However,
Arthur
got Jonathan involved in his gardening business until he left London to attend a festival in Scotland with his hippy friends.
Christine took over the job in his place, which was the precursor to her affair with
Arthur
and Jonathan never appeared again.
Emma Bunton
12
Spice Girl Emma Bunton played a mugger in a 1992 episode of Eastenders.
The Spice Girls formed in 1994 with
achieving huge success with their debut single Wannabe.
However before that happened, Emma best known as
But at 16, Emma did briefly have a part in the soap when she played a mugger in 1992, and attempted to rob pensioner Jules in an alley way.
This was one year before Bianca arrived in town and just before she met The Spice Girls.
Hugh Bonneville
12
Hugh Bonneville as a school Headmaster in Eastenders 1995
He has also been featured in the Paddington movie franchise, the romcom Notting Hill and Mansfield Park.
His most recent TV appearance was in
Back in 1995, he took on the role of Headmaster on the famous Walford streets.
In the episode, he was the headmaster at the school that Martin Fowler attended.
David Walliams
12
David Walliams played Ray, a fake vicar in Alfie and Kat in EastEnders
Credit: BBC
David Walliams is an actor, comedian, writer, and television personality.
He is best known for his work with
He is also a writer of children's books, having sold more than 50 million copies worldwide.
And
from 2012 to 2022, he was a judge on the television talent show competition
Britain's Got Talent.
Back in 2003, David appeared in the soap's Christmas Day episode as a fake registrar, Ray, who attempted to marry Walford couple
Ray was an old and slightly confused friend of Alfie's and had been paid by Alfie to conduct their ceremony at the last minute.
The real registrar had of course refused to marry them due to Alfie's divorce not being finalised on time - but in true soap style, the truth eventually came out and Ray's registrar fun was cut short.
Robbie Williams
12
Robbie can be seen at the back of the pub making a telephone call during an EastEnders scene
Brit Award winning Robbie Williams f
ound fame as a member of the pop group
Take That
from 1990 to 1995, launching a solo career in 1996.
His debut studio album,
Life thru a Lens
, was released in 1997, and included his best-selling single "
Angels
".
Most recently he released the film
But in July 1995, boyband Robbie broke the hearts of thousands of people after quitting Take That shortly before their planned tour.
However, only a couple of months after his departure from the group, Robbie randomly appeared in an episode of EastEnders.
Robbie was seen in The Queen Vic in the background using the telephone behind Alan Jackson as he sat in the boozer talking to Ricky Butcher.
12
Robbie Williams with Keith Lemon at Robbie Williams' new solo art exhibition 'Radical Honesty' at Moco Museum
Credit: Getty
12
Emma Bunton went on to find fame after losing out an audition to Patsy Palmer
Credit: Getty
12
Amanda Holden is best known as a TV Presenter and BGT judge
Credit: Getty
12
Hugh Bonneville is best known for his role in the fan favourite show Downton Abbey
Credit: PA
12
Jonny Lee Miller played John Major in Netflix's The Crown
Credit: Andrew Sims - The Times
12
David Walliams is a British comedian, actor, writer, and presenter who co-created Little Britain and wrote popular children's books
Credit: Getty
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