Where EastEnders' Mark Fowler actor is now â 22 years after HIV storyline
Struggling to cope with the challenges of his illness, Mark Fowler found life in Albert Square increasingly difficult.
EastEnders legend Mark Fowler remains one of the soapâs most memorable characters, even 22 years after his emotional departure from Albert Square.
Originally portrayed by Todd Carty, who is now 60, Mark first appeared as a child before making a dramatic return in the early 1990s as a completely changed man. No longer the same person who had left years earlier, he had matured significantly, shaped by a life-altering HIV diagnosis that forced him to prioritise his health.
As Martin Fowlerâs older brother, Mark tackled some of EastEndersâ most powerful storylines, cementing his place in soap history.
Struggling to cope with the challenges of his illness, Mark Fowler found life in Albert Square increasingly difficult. The restrictions that came with his HIV diagnosis weighed heavily on him, ultimately leading to his decision to leave Walford. Determined to make the most of his remaining time, he set off on the trip of a lifetime, saying an emotional farewell to his loved ones in 2003 while staying in touch from afar.
Todd left the show in 2003 (Image: David Westing/Getty Images)
Tragically, just a year later, his brother Martin received the devastating news that Mark had passed away from an AIDS-related form of Non-Hodgkinâs lymphoma.
Markâs powerful storyline was groundbreaking for EastEnders, helping to challenge misconceptions about HIV and AIDS while raising awareness among the soapâs vast audience. Through his journey, viewers saw firsthand the realities of living with the virus, making his legacy one of education and impact.
Two decades after his time on EastEnders, Todd Carty remains active in the acting world. Last year, he was spotted at The Lowry Theatre in Manchester, looking completely different from his soap days, Mirror reported. Sporting a moustache, glasses, a casual zip-up jacket, and blue jeans, he was almost unrecognisable from his iconic role as Mark Fowler.
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Toddâs career in entertainment began long before his time in Albert Square. He first rose to fame as Tucker Jenkins in Grange Hill, a character so popular that it led to his own spin-off series, Tuckerâs Luck, which ran from 1983 to 1985. Over the years, he has also appeared in Heartbeat, Holby City, and Doctors.
Following his EastEnders exit, Todd ventured into reality television. His 2009 stint on Dancing on Ice is still remembered for a dramatic slip that left his skating partner, Susie Lipanova, momentarily performing solo. In 2014, he put his culinary skills to the test on Celebrity MasterChef and later took part in Celebrity 5 Go Caravanning.
Theatre has also been a significant part of his career. Todd took on the legendary role of Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth from December 2019 to January 2020. More recently, he starred in Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap at The Lowry Theatre last spring, performing alongside Only Fools and Horses and fellow EastEnders star, Gwyneth Strong.
Todd Cartyâs personal life has long been entwined with the world of acting. He has been married to actress and writer Dina Clarkin since 1990, but their love story began decades earlier when they were both child actors.
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Recalling their early connection, Todd told The Mirror in 2005: "Yes, it's a real love story. We were both child actors and our mums were friends. We got to know each other after Dina's mum started to chaperone me to auditions and I'd go over to their house for tea."
However, fate took them in different directions when Dinaâs family moved away from London, and they lost touch for ten years. Then, in a twist worthy of a romantic drama, their paths crossed once more.
"I was at a family do when Dina walked in and I just thought, 'God, you're beautiful'," Todd recalled. "All of a sudden, she came back into my life as a stunning 19-year-old and I fell head over heels in love. It was wonderful."
The childhood sweethearts went on to build a life together and are now proud parents to two sons, James and Thomas.