EASTENDERS star Matt Lapinskas has broken his silence on getting a ‘normal job’ between acting roles – and now has his sights set on starring in another popular soap.
The actor, 33, swapped Albert Square for a construction site back in 2020 during lockdown.
EastEnders star Matt Lapinskas has spoken out on getting a ‘normal job’ between acting roles
Matt revealed he was a builder during the peak of coronavirus pandemic
At the time, Matt – best known for playing Antony Moon in EastEnders between 2011 and 2012 – took to Instagram to promote his own building firm called Brightside Builders.
Two years on and the star is back doing what he loves the most – acting and being on stage.
In an exclusive chat at the Whsky Label launch party last night, Matt opened up about his thoughts on being called a “failed actor”.
Matt said: “At the end of the day, when lockdown happened and I started doing some building work, they sort of like, not that they shamed me, but they were like ‘failed actor turned builder’.
“I was like why are you putting it down when someone is trying to make a living at the end of the day, but hey ho, it is what it is!
“Those years are gone and I’m back on TV, I’m back in the West End.”
It has been 10 years since Matt last stepped foot in Walford as cheeky chappy Anthony.
After his stint on EastEnders the hunk landed roles in the likes of Dead Ringer, Red Rage, The Seven and Yardies.
Earlier this year Matt was signed up to star in Hollyoaks as the village’s new villain.
The actor admitted that he wouldn’t return to EastEnders at the moment because he’s busy, but would “never say never” to the opportunity.
But he does have his hopes on starring in the show’s ITV rival Coronation Street.
Matt confessed: “My mum absolutely loves Corrie, so if she saw me on that she’d be over the moon – no pun intended there.
“It would be great, I’d love to be the first, I don’t think there has ever been an actor who has done all four soaps!
“So maybe something to do on the bucket list.”
Matt has now got four weeks of rehearsals before new comedy Horse Play comes out in the West End.
The first show will be at the Riverside Studios in London later this month.
Matt played Antony Moon in EastEnders for one year when he joined the show in 2011
Matt looked dapper than ever at the Whsky Label launch party last night
