EastEnders legend John Altman unrecognisable seven years after being killed off as Nick Cotton
EASTENDERS legend John Altman looks a far from his Nasty Nick days.
The 70-year-old, who is currently touring with The Mousetrap, has embraced a longer hair style and his natural greys.
Recent snaps of the star show him sporting curls to his shoulders and even wearing his hair in a ponytail at times.
He is currently appearing as Italian businessman Mr Paravicini in the Agatha Christie play.
Speaking about the role and his appearance these days, John told the Bury Times: “I’m as old as The Mousetrap, can you believe that?”
“But I do try and look after myself. I used to drink and smoke back in the bad old days of the 70s and 80s but I don’t any more.
“I’ve not had drink for 25 years. I try and eat well and get enough sleep. A lot of people don’t do that and it can be the cause of all kinds of problems.”
John played the infamous Nick Cotton in EastEnders on and off for 20 years, until the troublesome character was killed off in 2015.
And the former soap star, who was Dot’s son, previously revealed he was still getting royalties from repeat airings of the BBC1 favourite.
He told the Sunday Times: “Back in the early days, EastEnders used to have an omnibus every Sunday and we’d receive 80 per cent of our original fee. Very nice!
“Last year I got about £25 for some old repeated episodes of EastEnders!”
During his career, John has also appeared in the musicals Chicago as Billy Flynn and Birth of the Beatles as George Harrison.
He reflected: “Being in a popular soap opens some doors and closes others.
“It’s important to have another string to your bow, which is why music has always been a big part of my life ever since I became an actor.”
