Terry Coldwell, Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, and John Hendy of East 17 | John Hendy | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

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By Milla Sigaba

Apr 29, 2026

06:28 A.M.

He was part of one of the biggest boybands Britain produced in the 1990s, but the life he leads today looks nothing like the one his fans might have imagined for him. From '90s heartthrob to roofer, the photos at the end of this article tell the full story.

At their peak, East 17 were a defining force in British pop. Formed in 1991 in Walthamstow, the group comprised Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, Terry Coldwell, and John Hendy, each playing a role in shaping the band's edgy image and sound.

With shaved heads, tattoos, and a musical style influenced by hip-hop and R&B, they distinguished themselves from contemporaries like Take That. Their success was undeniable, with 18 top 20 singles and four top 10 albums cementing their place in pop history.

Their 1994 festive hit "Stay Another Day" became a cultural staple, returning to the charts year after year and remaining one of the UK's most recognisable Christmas songs. For a time, the group embodied the height of fame, with sold-out performances and a devoted fanbase.

But where one of them is today might surprise you. Now aged 55, Hendy has long since stepped away from the spotlight, and in recent times, he has been offering a candid window into his current life on social media.

He has traded international tours and recording studios for life on building sites, working as a roofer. In videos shared online, he is seen in a hi-vis jacket, tools in hand, documenting his day-to-day work — a far cry from the arenas he once performed in.

Hendy appears upbeat, often engaging with followers through livestreams and sharing moments with his wife and children, suggesting a sense of contentment with his current path.

His return to manual labour is, in some ways, a full-circle moment, having worked in roofing before his music career took off. Yet it also reflects the financial realities behind the scenes of pop success.

Despite East 17's chart dominance, the band members initially earned just £125 per week, with their late manager, Tom Watkins, raising that figure by £25 every four months.

Crucially, while Mortimer — the group's songwriter — is estimated to earn around £97,000 a year from "Stay Another Day" alone, Hendy and his bandmates were not included in those earnings. The financial disparity has had lasting consequences.

Hendy has spoken openly about his struggles, revealing that his circumstances are far removed from the wealth many assume accompanies fame, and that, during the coronavirus pandemic, he and his family had to move into a hostel for 18 months.

Yet, by his own account, Hendy carries none of it as bitterness. He has insisted he has "no regrets" and believes it is more important to "get a grip" than to dwell on what might have been. His journey also reflects the fractured state of East 17 itself.

His departure from the group came after a falling out with Coldwell and newer member Robbie Craig. In 2023, Coldwell indicated publicly that a reunion with all four original members was unlikely, adding that none of the band members were in contact with one another.

Coldwell is now the only original member remaining, with a version of East 17 continuing to perform at nostalgia events. Hendy, meanwhile, is back on the rooftops, tools in hand, doing the work he was doing long before anyone knew his name.

Posing together in Hamburg on 26 February 1993, Terry Coldwell, Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, and John Hendy captured the bold, street-inspired aesthetic that set East 17 apart from their pop rivals. With oversized silhouettes, statement caps, and confident, almost confrontational stances, the group leaned into a grittier image that mirrored their hip-hop and R&B influences, helping to define their early identity at the height of their rise.

In this striking studio portrait, Terry Coldwell, Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, and John Hendy lean into their distinctive aesthetic, pairing bold stripes, oversized denim, and statement headwear with unwavering, almost confrontational expressions. The vivid backdrop heightens the intensity of the shot, capturing the group's edgy image and the quiet confidence that set them apart during their ascent in the 1990s pop landscape.

In this dynamic group shot taken on 26 June 1993 in Schwenningen, Germany, East 17 lean into their bold, urban-inspired image, with oversized tees, sportswear, and statement accessories reflecting the era's street style influence. Their relaxed yet assertive poses — from direct gestures to self-assured stances — capture the charisma and attitude that helped define their appeal at the height of their early success.

In this candid snapshot taken on 26 June 1993 in Schwenningen, Germany, John Hendy is seen seated at a table, marker in hand, sketching out bold, graffiti-style designs on paper. Wearing a leather cap and layered accessories, the image offers a glimpse into his creative side, blending the band's streetwise aesthetic with a quieter, behind-the-scenes moment from their early rise.

In this close-up taken on 26 June 1993 in Schwenningen, Germany, John Hendy leans casually against a wall, his relaxed expression and subtle smile offering a softer contrast to the band's typically bold image. Dressed in a sleeveless top with a leather cap and simple jewellery, the portrait captures a quieter, more personal moment during East 17's early days in the spotlight.

In this later portrait taken on 9 September 1996 in Munich, Germany, Tony Mortimer, Terry Coldwell, John Hendy, and Brian Harvey present a more refined and understated image, trading bold streetwear for darker, cleaner silhouettes. Their composed expressions and pared-back styling reflect a shift in the group's identity as they matured, while still maintaining the quiet confidence that defined their presence at the height of their fame.

In a post dated 21 April 2026, John Hendy films himself mid-shift on a rooftop, wearing a hi-vis jacket as scaffolding and building materials stretch out behind him. The candid clip captures his day-to-day reality, with the overlay text "Work work work work work .... You wanna see me work ..." reinforcing his hands-on routine. | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

Filming from a different angle, Hendy pans across the rooftop as he continues working, offering a wider glimpse of the site and surrounding greenery. The casual, unfiltered nature of the video highlights his transition from pop stages to practical labour, with the same on-screen caption "Work work work work work .... You wanna see me work ..." tying the clips together. | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

In another moment from the same sequence, Hendy turns the camera toward himself while standing beneath scaffolding, his expression focused as he navigates the demands of the job. The repeated caption "Work work work work work .... You wanna see me work ..." underscores the rhythm of his daily routine. | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

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Looking out over the edge of the building, Hendy briefly shifts the view to the streets below, revealing a leafy neighbourhood beyond the construction site. The clip blends personal perspective with his working environment, once again paired with the text "Work work work work work .... You wanna see me work ...". | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

In a post dated 22 April 2026, John Hendy is captured kneeling on a sloped rooftop, tools in hand as he carefully works on laying tiles. Dressed in a hi-vis vest and practical workwear, the image highlights the physical, detail-oriented nature of his day-to-day job, a stark contrast to his former life on stage. | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

Continuing the sequence, Hendy is seen mid-motion as he adjusts roofing materials, fully immersed in the task at hand. The candid frame emphasises the hands-on skill required for the trade, with scaffolding and exposed beams surrounding him. | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official

In the final clip, Hendy leans forward to secure another section of the roof, focused on precision as he works across the layered tiles. The setting — complete with brickwork, tools, and construction framework — reinforces his commitment to the craft he has returned to years after his music career. | Source: Instagram/johnhendyeast17_official