We know him best as the quiet little EastEnders star Jordan Johnson, the son of serial killer Lucas Johnson.
Actor Michael-Joel David Stuart first appeared on-screen on the BBC soap in May 2008 and quickly became wrapped up in one of his biggest storyline to date after discovering the body of Jordan’s mother, Trina, who was murdered by his father.
Another one of his storylines included being bullied by Ben Mitchell who ended up hitting him round the head with a spanner and fractured his skull.
Since leaving the role of Jordan, a character soap bosses recently killed off with a heroin overdose storyline, actor Michael-Joel continues to light up our screens.
From his blossoming West End career to his unbelievable body transformation, let’s take a look at where the child star is now…
Theatre dreams and movie appearances
Despite his success staring in one of the UK’s biggest soaps, the young star has also led an enormously successful theatre career and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The London-born star got his first big break in theatrics in 2006 when he performed as young Sunny in the West-End musical Daddy Cool.
A far cry from his on-screen character in EastEnders, Michael-Joel went from strength to strength in his stage career ultimately landing the coveted role of young Simba in West End musical and Disney classic The Lion King.
A star of stage and screen, the now 24-year-old made his television debut in the BBC award-winning drama production Shoot the Messenger in 2006.
(Image: BBC)
His success in theatre and TV landed him his first movie role having gone on to play Buckwheat in the movie Mister Lonely by Harmony Korine in 2007.
On playing his most famous role as Jordan on EastEnders, he said: “Coming into EastEnders is an absolute dream. Jordan is going through a very tough time and needs people in his corner but with a Dad like Lucas will he be able to trust anyone? It’s going to be brilliant to play him and I can’t wait to get started.”
Michael-Joel attend the 2010 British Soap Awards alongside fellow cast mates Don Gilet and Diane Parish.
His role was eventually recast, with 20-year-old Doctor Who star Joivan Wade taking over the role before he was killed off.
After leaving Albert Square Michael-Joel also went on to appear in 2012’s award-winning and critically acclaimed My Brother the Devil.
Major Transformation
(Image: Instagram)
At the peak of his childhood career, we remember Michael-Joel as a small, puny kid with a heart of gold.
In the 12 years since he left the soap, the former EastEnders star has taken to social media to show off the results of his hard work in the gym, sharing shots of his chiseled torso posing in a sizzling topless snap.
The former schoolboy’s seriously ripped bod left delighted fans in shock and landed him the title “baller”.
(Image: Instagram)
Elsewhere, the star kept his fans up-to-date on his off-screen antics on his Instagram and Twitter pages, posting regularly about work, playing basketball with his “baller” friends and visiting the gym regularly.
His Twitter bio also gave an insight into the actor, having read: “Ball is life Married to the Iron.”
Not much is known about the star’s private life or relationship status.
The actor appears to have remove his social media platforms and taken a break from the spotlight.
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