EastEnders legend Shaun Williamson reveals very different career 19 years after leaving the soap
Shaun's been backed by some pop star heavyweights
EASTENDERS legend Shaun Williamson established himself as a soap great during his nine years in Walford.
As hapless car salesman Barry Evans, Shaun brought plenty of laughs to Walford and also starred in one of its most dramatic exits too when wife Janine Butcher pushed him off a cliff to his death.
Two decades after he quit the programme, the spirit of Barry is well and truly alive – though perhaps not in the way Enders fans would expect.
In between cameo television appearances, Shaun can be found performing Barrioke at festivals and on stages around the country.
The cult hero’s raucous feel-good entertainment show has been championed by industry heavyweights Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Sam Fender and Chris Moyles.
And it has scored plenty of five star reviews from fans the length and breadth of the country.
Speaking of his venture into the world of live entertainment, he told the Mirror: “It’s been incredible. I genuinely, honestly with all my heart never thought it would take off like this. We thought we’d have a laugh. We kicked off at festivals before Covid and it went down really well and then Covid hit. I really think there was an appetite for people to get out in a big way after Covid.
“I thought it would last a year but next year, we’ve got 80 gigs booked. It’s amazing to go up and down the country. I’m really touched because people just want to have a good time but the affection shown is just incredible, I never thought it would last this long.”
It was Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant who helped breathe new life into Shaun’s lungs when they cast him in their hit sitcom Extras and Life’s Too Short.
In those shows he was always referred to as ‘Barry from EastEnders’ and it lovingly re-established him in the minds of the nation.
This Christmas Shaun is using his platform to deliver a dose of comic goodness by teaming up with the Deliveroo and the Trussell Trust to front the Not So Silent Night Choir with X Factor star Honey G.
He said: “It’s been a pleasure to head up this slightly off-key bunch of carollers. We might not be the sweetest sound you’ll ever hear this festive season, but we’re cranking up the volume for the Trussell Trust – so don’t ignore us, round-up on Deliveroo instead!”
The off-key choir is encouraging takeaway eaters to make a donation to the food bank charity when placing orders through the Deliveroo app this festive period.
