DURING his heyday, this legendary EastEnders star was known for being the Walford lothario.

Looking totally unrecognisable with his bushy beard, this former soap star, now 61, was seen running errands, 40 years after he made his first appearance on Albert Square.

The star in question is the EastEnders legend Nick Berry.

The actor played Simon ‘Wicksy’ Wicks from 1985 to 1990, and was involved in lots of steamy storylines, including having an affair with Cindy Beale.

Nick is also known to millions for his role as PC Nick Rowan in Heartbeat from 1992 to 1998.

But today he looked worlds away from his days as a soap star.

The handsome actor was snapped sporting a bushy white beard, as hit the shops in Essex.

He cut a casual figure in jeans, t-shirt and black jacket.

The former soap legend hid his eyes beneath a pair of dark glasses.

BECOMING A STAR

Nick first shot to TV stardom playing smouldering Simon in EastEnders.

He then went on to star in ITV‘s police drama Heartbeat as the equally handsome PC Nick in 1992, staying on the show for six years.

After that, Nick moved back to the BBC where he starred in the show Harbour Lights as harbour master Mike Nicholls.

However, Nick bowed out of acting to become a stay-at-home dad to his sons Louis,, who are now both in their late 20s.

The former soap star previously admitted that he had no regrets at leaving fame in the past.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011, Nick said: “I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it.

“I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don’t do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven’t really missed it.

“While I’d never say never, I’m genuinely happy as I am.”

Nick made his last TV appearance back in 2012 in a one-off EastEnders episode for the funeral of his on-screen mother Pat Butcher.

It seems he was popular during his time on the BBC One soap.

His former EastEnders co-star Sid Owen heaped praise on him for taking him under his wing when Sid first played Ricky Butcher.

He wrote in biography From Rags to Riches: “Nick was such a lovely, modest guy.

“As soon as he discovered I was living in a squat in Islington, quite close to the posher bit where he’d bought a flat, he offered to drive me up to work and back again.

“Nick used to be really into classic cars and I’ll never forget the first time he turned up outside the squat in a gleaming Jaguar E-Type, ready to drive me to work.

“He was a big star, a proper household name, and when we arrived at the studio gates there were hordes of fans waiting.

“As soon as they spotted him the screams went up: ‘Wicksy!’ ‘Nick!’

“‘I love you, Nick!’ The car was mobbed. Screaming girls waving banners, begging for autographs.”

Nick even briefly had a music career Nick released the UK’s biggest selling record of 1986, Every Loser Wins.