The unrecognisable child actor joined the EastEnders cast when he was just 12 — and his career has taken a sharp turn since his exit from the iconic British drama.
A beloved EastEnders child star has had a complete transformation — both physical and professional — years after he stepped away from the limelight of Britain’s most iconic TV drama.
A series regular from 2008 to 2015, James Forde, who played Liam Butcher on the beloved British soap, now has a wildly different life.
James portrayed the role of Ricky Butcher and Bianca Jackson’s son for seven years on the small screen, joining the cast when he was merely 12, and although Liam’s character had already been played by six different actors by the time James joined in 2008, he was by far the most memorable (and longest-running) of the Liams.
EastEnders child actor’s complete transformation after quitting TV
Now almost 30, the baby-faced James from our screens has transformed into a dashing young man as per his Instagram ( @jfordee ), sporting a full beard and a shaved head.
What’s most surprising though, is the turn his career has taken from his famed days on Albert Square.
Since his exit from EastEnders in 2015, James has had an interesting career trajectory, completely switching his line of profession. The former actor decided to step away from the glitz and glamour once and for all, pivoting into a vastly different career.
After quitting television, James first took up work as a builder, cheekily referring to himself as ‘Bob the Builder’ on social media, as he began posting life updates for his fans and followers to keep up with.
As per his latest updates on Instagram with regards to his current profession, the former actor has been seen employed as an engineer for satellite company AAA Satellites & Aerials. Often sighted in his work gear, the child star has been spotted sporting AAA memorabilia while on site as he happily poses for pictures and selfies.
James regularly shares updates and selfies from his work sites with his 38,000 Instagram followers, as well as life updates with family and friends.
In fact, the actor is extremely content with the direction his life has taken, reiterating his happiness at his new profession on social media.
After Liam Butcher’s role was recast in 2021 — with Alfie Deegan stepping into the beloved EastEnders character’s shoes — fans of James took to social media to express their disappointment.
Addressing the situation head-on on X (formerly Twitter), James wrote at the time: “Appreciate the love people but don’t be upset.
“I chose myself to be a builder and not an actor and I am genuinely happier than ever right now. Do what works for you and be happy.”
James Forde’s exit from EastEnders
The Butcher family, which featured characters such as Frank Butcher (Mike Reid), Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) and the iconic Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), stands as one of the most unforgettable families in EastEnders history.
As the clan grew, Ricky went on to have a son with his wife Bianca (Patsy Palmer), naming him Liam, who arrived prematurely on Christmas Day in 1998.
Throughout his stint on the programme, James’ Liam featured in numerous hard-hitting storylines including a dyslexia diagnosis, which shed light on the struggles he faced at school.
Beyond this, Liam also temporarily became involved with a gang, which led to his arrest and ultimately resulted in him being stabbed by a rival gang member.
Liam also embarked on a relationship with Cindy Williams (played by Mimi Keene), with the pair choosing to depart from Albert Square together in 2015 alongside Cindy’s newborn daughter Beth, as they sought to forge a fresh start in Germany with support from Liam’s father Ricky Butcher.
In 2021, Liam’s character (now played by Alfie) returned for a short stint on the small screen, appearing on the show between October 2021 and December 2021.
Liam seemingly returned to support his sister, Tiffany Butcher-Baker, but it quickly became apparent that his return was concealing darker truths.
