EastEnders' Kelvin Carpenter star is unrecognisable with huge career change

Tony Carpenter and his son, Kelvin, were the first-ever black characters to appear in EastEnders when it launched back in 1985. Black and Asian characters had been under-represented in UK soaps and its creators were keen to redress the balance. Builder Tony was played by actor Oscar James, 82, with one of his most famous storylines involving clandestine affair with the original Queen Vic landlady, Angie Watts (Anita Dobson).

The star has gone on further TV and movie roles since his 1987 exit from the soap – including starring in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp and also gracing the stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company – and he prefers not to linger on his Albert Square days.

His partner once told the Mirror: "It was such a long time ago that he doesn't like to talk about it. To him it was just a role and he has done so much since. He has made some films and done some wonderful plays. He still gets excited by every role and had no idea when he took the part in EastEnders it would follow him. He doesn't watch the show anymore apart from maybe when I have it on but it has changed so much since his day."

Meanwhile, Kelvin – played by actor Paul J Medford, 57 – was one of Albert Square's brightest teens, balancing education, aspirations, and working-class tenacity. His portrayal stood out as a rare positive depiction of Black youth on 1980s television and he became one of the most popular young characters in the show's early days.

During his time in Albert Square, Kelvin had a chequered love life, including flings with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), with him also showing an interest in Mary the Punk (Linda Davidson).

In one storyline, he went to college and formed a band with friends, which led to the real-life release of a single with Letitita, Something Outta Nothing, reaching No 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Kelvin stayed on in Walford even after the rest of his on-screen family departed, but eventually left the show himself in 1987 to pursue university studies.

Paul has gone on to boast a successful stage career, featuring in West End hits including Five Guys Named Moe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Lion King, and was honoured with the Society of Black Arts Achievement Award in 1995.

He has since relocated to the USA and moved on to an executive career. In 2012, he worked on Naomi Campbell's reality TV series The Face as Talent Producer, and later worked as Model Casting Director on seasons 17 and 18 of another reality show, Project Runway. In 2019, he was named Vice President, Unscripted Current Series, at Nickelodeon, working on productions including The Spongebob Musical: Live On Stage! as well as Nick's Ultimate Bloopers.

Despite residing overseas, a former neighbour once revealed disclosed that Paul remains an avid follower of the soap that launched his career, keeping up with Walford's happenings through family and the internet.