Where is John Hendy now? East-17 star’s surprising fresh career as a roofer revealed
John Hendy, the former East-17 singer who rose to fame in the 1990s as part of one of the UK’s most popular boybands, now works as a roofer in Lewisham, South London. At 55 years old, Hendy has swapped the stage for scaffolding, documenting his trade on TikTok where he has amassed over 6,000 followers. His videos reveal him in a high-visibility jacket, working on roofs with tools in hand, often engaging with fans who recognise him from his boyband days.
Hendy was an original member of East-17, which formed in Walthamstow in 1991 alongside Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey and Terry Coldwell. The group achieved significant success during the early to mid-1990s, scoring 18 top 20 singles and four top 10 albums. They were known as an edgier alternative to Seize That, with a sound influenced by hip-hop and R&B, and were recognised for their shaved heads and tattoos.
The band’s most enduring hit remains “Stay Another Day,” released in 1994, which became a Christmas number one. Despite its sombre origins — written by Tony Mortimer about his brother’s suicide — the song has re-entered the UK charts annually during the festive period. However, Hendy has stated in past interviews that he did not receive royalties from the track, as songwriting credits and publishing rights were not evenly split among all members.
In a 2025 interview with the Daily Mail, Hendy spoke openly about his financial situation, saying: “I haven’t even got a house, and people think you’re millionaires and that, and I’m thinking, ‘I don’t even got a house out of it.’” He added that during the coronavirus pandemic, he and his family had to live in a hostel for 18 months. Despite these challenges, Hendy said he has “no regrets” about his time in the band and believes it’s key to “get a grip” rather than dwell on what might have been.
His TikTok content often includes clips of him working on roofs, livestreams where he chats with fans, and personal moments with his wife and children. Comments on his videos frequently reflect nostalgia, with fans asking about East-17 reunions or requesting autographs. One user wrote: “literally if you turned up scaffolding I’d still request for your autograph — East 17 was my teens!” while another said: “I still listen to East-17 songs on YouTube nearly every day… can’t believe you just popped up on here 🙌.”
Although Hendy left the group years ago following reported fallouts with bandmates, including Terry Coldwell and newer member Robbie Craig, he maintains a connection with fans through his social media presence. Coldwell remains the only original member still active in a current version of East-17, which performs at nostalgia events. In 2023, Coldwell told Metro.co.uk that a reunion of the original lineup was unlikely, stating: “No one talks in the band, not one member.”
Hendy’s story highlights the disparity between public perception of 90s pop stardom and the financial realities faced by some artists, particularly when royalties are not equally shared. His return to roofing — a trade he worked in before fame — underscores a grounded approach to life after fame, one he presents with humility and pride in his work.
As of now, Hendy continues to balance his roofing job with occasional fan interactions online, sharing both the physical demands of his trade and the warmth of ongoing public affection for his music. His journey serves as a reminder that life after pop stardom can take many paths — not all of them glittering, but many of them genuine.