A former boyband singer, who enjoyed chart-topping fame for many years with his group, is now working in construction as fans campaign for the humble star to “retire and take life easy”
11:30, 23 Apr 2026Updated 11:35, 23 Apr 2026
East 17 reached the 1994 Christmas number one spot with Stay Another Day(Image: PR)
A 90s heartthrob from a chart-topping boyband is unrecognisable now, over three decades after his band’s smash hit went to Christmas number one in 1994. East 17 are best-known for their festive classic Stay Another Day, but one of the band members’ careers has taken a drastic turn.
John Hendy, 55, turned to roofing after walking away from the spotlight. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic he was forced to live in a hostel with his family for 18 months, but the singer eventually managed to get himself back on his feet and carved out a career in roofing, exactly as he had before reaching stardom.
He now posts clips while at work on his TikTok page and he was recently seen grafting on a property in London, reports the Express.
The star quit the music industry in 2018(Image: TIKTOK)
John has received heaps of praise from baffled fans who can’t believed the former pop star isn’t living it large somewhere abroad.
In the comments on his TikTok, one person said: “Nothing but respect for this man, royalties and fair distribution should see him retired and taking life easy, very unfair but what a lovely guy, humble.”
Someone else wrtoe: “No hate, but how is this guy still working when he sold the records he did. He should be retired and living it up somewhere hot. Great resurrection album E17.”
John is now working as a roofer(Image: TIKTOK)
He previously spoke to MailOnline about his earnings from his time in East 17: “When I turn up to a party and my wealthy friends are arriving in their Porsche’s and Range Rovers and I’m pulling up in my roofing van.
“I’m like: ‘Oh mate, it makes me feel sick coming to your parties,’ then they put it in perspective for me. They are like: ‘John, mate, it’s money, it doesn’t mean nothing, mate’.”
According to reports, at the height of their fame the band’s members were each receiving just around £125 a week. The group disbanded in 1997 following controversial remarks member Brian Harvey made regarding taking ecstasy.
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