East 17 star John Hendy, 55, is now a roofer 34 years after finding fame – as his wife hits out at critics and says he is rich but ‘she spends all his money’

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I was so surprised to learn that John Hendy, from East 17, is now a roofer! It’s been over 31 years since he and the band were huge in the 2000s, and it’s amazing to see where life has taken him. It just goes to show, even after all that fame, people can find happiness doing something completely different.

The 55-year-old former pop star often posts TikTok videos showcasing his current job, which he did before becoming famous with his bandmates Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, and Terry Coldwell.

John has over 5,000 followers and often receives positive comments on his videos, though some people have questioned his recent career change.

John doesn’t usually respond to comments, but his wife, Nina, is quick to defend him with sharp replies whenever anyone criticizes him. He revealed last year that he’d spent all the money he earned from his time in a boy band.

One fan commented, ‘No offense, but I’m surprised he’s still working after selling so many records. He deserves to be retired and enjoying life somewhere warm! This new album is fantastic though.’ Nina playfully replied, ‘He’s wealthy – I’m the one spending his money!’

People often comment on John’s TikTok videos asking why he’s still working when he should be earning enough money from the band’s royalties to live comfortably.

I’ve noticed Nina is incredibly quick to defend her husband online – she’s always jumping in with a witty comment whenever anyone says anything even slightly critical under his videos. It’s really sweet, honestly!

Last year, John stated he doesn’t regret anything, especially considering how many former boy band members have been openly discussing the downsides of fame. He believes it’s important to stay positive and resilient.

The band achieved mainstream success with songs like “Stay Another Day” and “If You Ever,” but their popularity quickly declined in 1997. This followed the firing of lead singer Brian after he made controversial remarks about ecstasy following the tragic death of Leah Betts, who died after taking an ecstasy pill at her 18th birthday party.

In a recent interview with TopMob, John shared that despite people thinking he’s wealthy, he doesn’t actually own a home. He also mentioned that while his friends drive luxury cars like Porsches, he gets around in an old, worn-out work van.

Despite what others might think, he wouldn’t want to switch lives with his wealthier friends. As he explained, ‘Everyone dreams of having what we have, and we’ve already lived that dream.’

Being in a boyband definitely has its challenges alongside the perks. It means long workdays, a packed schedule, and constant public attention.

Boyzone’s Mikey Graham recently revealed he left the pressures of fame behind. He said he simply wanted to escape the unhealthy atmosphere and now lives a traveling life in the countryside of Ireland.

Robbie Williams recently confessed he always worried about his position in Take That, and Zayn Malik has revealed he wasn’t truly enthusiastic about being in One Direction.

John acknowledged that people often state the obvious – that something is difficult and involves a lot of effort.

Ultimately, wanting to be in a band and achieve fame means accepting both the good and the bad. You can’t have one without the other.

East 17 initially landed a huge record deal worth a million pounds, but their manager, Tom Watkins, only paid each band member a starting wage of £125 per week, increasing it by £25 every four months.

Now that John has clarified he didn’t earn any money from his time in the band, he sympathizes with people who assume celebrities have easy lives and lots of wealth.

I understand why people tell others to ‘get a grip.’ When I think about footballers earning around £300,000 a week, it just seems hard to justify, and I honestly think they’re paid too much.

Looking back on his time with the band, John recalled meeting celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Phil Collins as particularly unforgettable experiences.

East 17 performed at the very first MTV Awards in Berlin in 1994, and they shared the stage with a famous star from Baywatch. John from the group jokingly recalled that she even gave them a quick kiss on the Berlin Wall.

The band shared the stage with music icon Phil Collins, and John described him as incredibly humble and genuine, saying he’s ‘like a regular guy, a true Londoner.’

While touring with the band, John had incredible experiences around the globe, from filming a Pepsi commercial in Moscow and performing for huge crowds in Israel, to even swimming with dolphins in the ocean.

He reflected that he doesn’t believe in regrets, saying that we don’t bring anything with us when we die, so dwelling on the past is pointless. He believes in moving forward and enjoying life, because it’s too short to waste time looking back.

I try not to dwell on it, but it’s frustrating. People assume we’re all wealthy because of this, and I’m just thinking, ‘I haven’t even been able to buy a house!’ We all deserved at least that much, a place to live.

Although John doesn’t live a glamorous life like many rock stars, he says his wealthy friends often wish they could trade places with him because of the unique experiences he’s had.

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2026-04-23 14:19