'90s EastEnders star admits quitting was best decision and now makes fortune off karaoke
EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson, best known for portraying Barry Evans, left the soap two decades ago and is now earning well with his own karaoke set.
The One Show: Shaun Williamson discusses his EastEnders fame
Shaun Williamson is best known for playing the hapless Barry Evans in the BBC soap from 1994 to 2004 when Janine shoved him off a cliff.
Evans is also behind 'Barrioke,' a smash-hit show he has performed at venues and festivals across the country.
Barrioke is presented in partnership with Singa Karaoke, which organises the World Karaoke Championships.
That was the inspiration for his I Got You Babe duet with Cher for UKTV, which rebranded as on-demand service U this week.
Rather than worrying about always being associated with loser Barry, Shaun’s made the most of it — earning a reported half-a-million pounds.
At the launch party for the streaming service, Shaun told The Sun: “It started with being on Extras, then it got to a point where I thought, ‘I’m never going to win an Oscar’, and I came to terms with that.
“I’m proud that I’m so well-known for it, even though I got pushed off a cliff over 20 years ago. I’m embracing it.”
Audiences were first treated to his vocal talents when he won Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes as Meat Loaf in 2004, and later in musicals, including Guys And Dolls.
Three years ago he started doing his Barrioke nights, which have now become a phenomenon in clubs and at festivals.
He has gigs booked until April next year — and he also earns a reported £3,000 a night for private appearances such as weddings.
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Shaun has appeared on stage with chart stars Olly Murs, Sam Fender, Aitch and Rag’n’Bone Man.
Cher is undoubtedly a step up but the actor did not get to meet the US star as he had prior commitments.
Shaun explained: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make the date Cher was filming the advert as I was performing Barrioke, but — of course — Cher’s schedule took priority.”
Shaun Williamson previously revealed he would “love” to play a role in another soap such as Coronation Street or Emmerdale, after quitting EastEnders back in 2004.
The Barry Evans actor only left the long-running BBC soap because he wasn’t able “to do much” outside of the show.
Shaun divulged to Express.co.uk: “I would love to go on Emmerdale or Corrie, because I enjoy it.
“The reason why I left EastEnders was because I'd done ten years of it and it was all I had done.”
Although actors in EastEnders nowadays, such as Maisie Smith, are also able to appear in the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, that has not always been the case.
Shaun continued: “It’s not like now where they let people go off and do Strictly Come Dancing whilst they’re still in the show. "
