A former EastEnders star looked almost unrecognisable as he posed for a snap with a fan 32 years after dramatically quitting the soap due to ‘irreconcilable differences’ with BBC bosses. 

During his time on the soap, he was best known for his ‘alright treacle’ catchphrase while working on market stalls. 

His antics led to him being one of the London-based soap’s most-loved characters, even to this day. 

However, despite the love for his character, the star has steered clear of the public eye since leaving the soap in 1993. 

Now, just weeks before his 86th birthday, the lovable actor has been seen in a fan-uploaded snap on social media. 

But can you guess who he is? 

A former EastEnders star looks almost unrecognisable as he poses for a snap with a fan 32 years after dramatically quitting the soap – but can you guess who he is? 

That’s right, it’s none other than Peter Dean! (Peter pictured as Pete Beale with Pam St Clement as Pat Evans on the soap)

It’s none other than Peter Dean! 

In the new snap, the actor, who was visiting old locations for a reunion at the time,  looked almost unrecognisable as he sported a cap while showing off his white beard. 

Peter, who starred as Pete Beale on EastEnders, left the soap alongside his childhood sweetheart Rose. 

However, the couple were later killed off in an off-screen car accident, which took place on the same day his grandchildren Lucy and Peter were born. 

It’s been previously said that his exit was a sour one, with Peter’s contract reportedly ending due to ‘irreconcilable differences’. 

He previously told Loose Women: ‘The producer called me in and said, “The writers can’t find anything for you to do.”‘

‘So I said, “Well get rid of the writers”. Life’s simple when it’s logical. But of course, it was already set. EastEnders is EastEnders. The real East End has changed.’

Peter’s fruit and veg expert character was one of the first roles on the soap in 1985. 

During his time on the show, he was best known for his ‘alright treacle’ catchphrase while working on market stalls, and his antics led to him being one of the soap’s most-loved characters (pictured 1984)

However, despite the love for his character, the star has steered clear of the public eye since leaving the soap in 1993 due to ‘irreconcilable differences’ with BBC bosses (pictured with Leslie Granthan as Den Watts on the soap)

Read More Huge EastEnders star taking break from soap after bagging lead role in brand new show – and it’s worlds away from Walford

And one habit fans of the show still remember him for is his drinking from a pewter tankard. 

However, it is worth noting that actor Peter was a practising Buddhist and would never consume beer.

Instead, any drink he had on set was just lemonade, which goes a long way to explain his character’s unique choice of drinkware. 

Back in 2002, the actor was seen on the Channel 5 show, Harry and Cosh, which marked one of his last television appearances. 

He did, however, make an appearance on the third series of The Real Marigold H๏τel in 2018.

He appeared alongside Stanley Johnson, father of Boris, TV presenter Selina Scott, actor Stephanie Beecham, actor Susan George, former jockey Bob Champion, comedian Syd Little and The Krankies stars Janette and Ian Tough.

EastEnders airs every Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.