Bradley Branning, played by Charlie Clements in EastEnders, has undergone a dramatic transformation since leaving the soap, and has now completely changed his career.
Charlie Clements has undergone a remarkable transformation, now sporting glasses and a beard, a stark contrast to his on-screen EastEnders persona. The actor who brought Bradley Branning to life started on the BBC One soap in 2006 before leaving in February 2010.
Charlie’s dramatic exit from EastEnders took place in its first-ever live episode, marking the show’s 25th anniversary, where his character fell to his death from the Queen Vic’s roof while being chased by the police. Bradley had pledged to protect his wife Stacey after she murdered her rapist Archie Mitchell, and the couple had devised a plan to flee together.
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However, Bradley’s attempted escape from The Vic resulted in a disastrous mistake. His wife became a widow after his hasty escape attempt, which tragically led to his wife’s death and shocked Walford. Nearly 20 million viewers tuned in to the groundbreaking episode.
Over a decade after his EastEnders days, Charlie decided to step away from acting, admitting that, like everyone else, he needs to “pay his bills”. In May 2024, he announced to his Instagram followers: “Aware that some may be less interested in my golf related activities! But for those who are go follow me at @charlieclementsgolf.”
His dedicated golf page features photos of him improving his swing and describes his newfound position as a greenkeeper. The ex-soap star stated in a recent post that “in my career as an actor I’ve had some incredible opportunities and moments..
However, since I first started out as a Greenkeeper a year ago, this is among the best of them… touching the Center’s ostina!
Known as the unsung heroes of the golfing world, greenkeepers play a vital role in preserving the game’s manicured greens and fairways, overseeing tasks from smoothing out sand traps to grooming the plants that border the course.
At the 2006 National Television Awards, Charlie received praise for his work on EastEnders.
Following his dramatic departure from EastEnders, Charlie continued to make his mark in the entertainment industry. He played Jake O’Reilly in Casualty and in 2017, he appeared in the documentary Elizabeth and Her Enemies, portraying the Earl of Essex.
Off-screen, Charlie married his long-term girlfriend, Rebecca Clatworthy, in 2018 and the pair have three children. In addition to his acting prowess, Charlie has a keen eye for photography, frequently sharing photos of landscapes and nature on his Instagram page.
However, like many during the pandemic, Charlie faced the need to adapt. During the lockdowns, he temporarily put his acting career on hold to support his family. He worked in a restaurant during the initial lockdown and later at a garden centre during the second.
Speaking candidly on Loose Women, the actor explained: “Acting is my first love and career choice, but at the end of the day, I’m a jobbing actor. I’ve got bills to pay and a family to support like everyone else.”
Charlie reflected on his EastEnders success on Instagram in February, saying, “Remember that I died 15 years ago today, which makes that little thing even older. As EE approaches 40, I reflect on how fortunate I was to work for such a small organization when I was a child. I will always be grateful to those who contributed to this endeavor.
He said, “Happy birthday, EE, I’m incredibly proud to have been a small part of you.”
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Source: Mirror
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