Prepare for a deep dive into the extraordinary life of an “EastEnders” icon! Michael Greco, who rose to fame in the 90s as the dashing Beppe Di Marco, has had a career far wilder and more unexpected than many fans might realize. From his heartthrob status in Albert Square to accumulating a fortune on the professional poker circuit and navigating a string of high-profile romances, Greco’s journey is a rollercoaster. But amidst the triumphs, he also faced a “disappointing” “EastEnders” exit and, shockingly, a major snub from the show’s recent 40th anniversary celebrations!
Michael Greco first graced our screens in 1998 as Beppe Di Marco, arriving in Albert Square as part of “EastEnders'” fiery new Italian family. During his impactful three-year stint on the BBC show, Greco quickly became a fan favorite, earning him two British Soap Awards for Sexiest Male and even being voted the Sexiest Male Soap Star Ever by Radio Times readers! His character, Beppe, was a man of many hats: a police officer, a taxi driver, and a nightclub owner. He famously clashed with the infamous Grant Mitchell and found himself entangled in a complicated romance with Grant’s ex-wife, Tiffany.
The Di Marco family, strategically introduced as rivals to the formidable Mitchell family, proved to be a significant addition to Walford. The original lineup included Beppe’s on-screen grandparents, Bruno and Luisa, his mother, Rosa (played by Louise Jameson), his brother Gianni (Marc Bannerman), and younger sisters Teresa (Leila Birch) and Nicky (Carly Hillman), along with Beppe’s young son, Joe (Jake Kyprianou). Their family-run Giuseppe’s restaurant quickly became a Walford staple. However, by the year 2000, then-show executive John Yorke made the drastic decision to “cull” most of the Di Marco family, keeping only Beppe and Joe on until 2002.
Michael’s eventual exit from the soap in 2002 was, in his own words, “disappointing.” His character left Walford after receiving news that his mother had suffered a heart attack. He sold his nightclub to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and moved back to Leicester. Greco has previously expressed that he would have preferred a more substantial “send-off” for his character. Speaking to FruitySlots.com, he recounted his rather unceremonious departure: “There were circumstances that prevented me from having a bigger send off, I won’t go into them as it’s water under the bridge. But I just left in a cab, didn’t I? I said goodbye to Lynn in the cafe and then had a packet of crisps and drove to Leicester.” This clearly left a lasting impression on the actor, highlighting the often-abrupt nature of soap opera exits.
From Albert Square to Poker Tables: A Million-Dollar Gamble
Post-Albert Square, Michael Greco ventured into an entirely different world, finding even greater fame – and fortune – on the professional poker circuit. He competed professionally, raking in more than £1 million in winnings! In a truly astounding feat, he once made an impressive $250,000 in a single day. This dramatic career shift highlights Greco’s sharp mind and willingness to take calculated risks.
Recalling his poker days in an interview earlier this year with The Mirror, Michael described the “tough life” of a soap actor that led him to seek other avenues. “I didn’t really have a social life. I never went out. Sometimes you’d have 25 scenes a day. Say you got home at 6pm or 7pm, you were knackered, mentally and physically exhausted,” he revealed, explaining the grueling demands that pushed him away from continuous soap work.
His poker career, which lasted for “six years,” offered a stark contrast. “I remember when I won $250,000 one day. I put it in my rucksack and walked to my hotel, which was literally just across the road,” he recounted. The paranoia of carrying such a large sum of cash was real: “This was during the day but I was watching everywhere in case I thought someone was going to follow me. I was walking out of the casino but I was paranoid in case anyone had seen me with that amount of money, so I sprinted to the hotel room and put it in my safe.” Despite the stress, he admitted, “I was earning good money, I had a great lifestyle, it was really good fun. Then I got bored of poker. I wanted to get back to what I loved doing, which was acting.” This period marked a significant and lucrative detour in his life before his eventual return to the screen.
High-Profile Romances and a Shift to Quieter Living
Beyond his professional life, Michael Greco also “raised eyebrows with a string of high-profile relationships.” He dated glamour models, including an engagement to Linsey Dawn McKenzie in 1998, who rose to fame modeling topless in Sunday Sport. Sadly, she became pregnant twice during their 15-month relationship but tragically miscarried both times. He was also linked to other notable figures like Lisa Faulkner and Dani Behr.
Most notably, he dated “Hollyoaks” star Stephanie Waring (who plays Cindy Cunningham) from October 2016 to April 2017. Their relationship ended with Stephanie reportedly dumping him due to his “party lifestyle.” A source close to the duo told The Sun at the time: “Michael loves a night out and is a bit of a party boy, but Steph is more of a homebody. She was really keen for them to settle down and set up home together, but it was just too much too fast for him. Steph is pretty cut up about it, she really liked him and hoped that their relationship would last the distance.” This paints a picture of a man who, at that time, was still living life in the fast lane, a contrast to his later preference for a quieter existence.
Nowadays, Michael Greco prefers a much more subdued life. Since leaving “EastEnders,” he has continued to work in various acting roles across different mediums. His work includes playing Pickanchoos in “Aladdin” at Poole’s Lighthouse Theatre, taking the lead role in “Naked in London,” and appearing as a copper in the popular medical drama “Casualty.” He also made a surprise cameo appearance on “Holby City” in 2022 and featured in the Netflix series “African Queens” in 2023. Beyond traditional acting, the TV star also appeared on reality competition shows like the first series of “Celebrity Love Island” in 2005, where he came in 4th place, and “Soapstar Superstar” in 2006.
Personal Milestones and an “EastEnders” Anniversary Snub
The most significant personal milestone for Michael came in 2020 when he became a dad for the first time at the age of 50. His girlfriend, Helen Harris, gave birth to their baby. Despite being a “very private person,” Michael couldn’t contain his joy, sharing the news with heartfelt emotion. He wrote: “First time daddy at 51! Probably the greatest post I’ve ever shared. Can’t explain how emotional it was for me to be told that I am to be a father for the very first time, with my absolute soul mate.” He continued, “In these devastating times that we are all facing right now, this is the best news I could ever dream of. My heart is full and I love you more than life itself Baby G.” The couple later welcomed their second child, a “beautiful baby boy” named Gianni, in 2024, with Michael admitting he was the “happiest man alive.” These milestones reveal a profound shift in Greco’s priorities, embracing family life after a fast-paced career.
Despite having not appeared in Walford for several years, Michael Greco revealed earlier this year that he still earns money from “EastEnders” reruns. Speaking on the Celebrity Skin Talk Show in February, he candidly admitted: “Yeah I know about the re-runs. I get a £1.27 repeat fees every six months from episodes.” While not a fortune, it’s a small, consistent reminder of his enduring legacy on the show.
However, a more recent development proved to be a source of “disappointment” for Greco: he was not invited back for “EastEnders'” 40th anniversary celebrations. Despite a number of former actors reprising their roles for the milestone, Michael expressed his regret that producers didn’t reach out to him. He stated: “I didn’t get the call, I wasn’t asked to go back at all. I’m not on their radar so, I think if wasn’t asked back to help with their 40th I don’t think I never go back.” This indicates a clear sense of being overlooked by the show that launched his career. He added, “If they want you back they get you back. I used to be in the vice squad maybe that be my way to join back in, and arrest someone you know,” half-jokingly suggesting a potential storyline for a hypothetical return.
In a heartwarming note for nostalgic fans, the Di Marco family looked “unrecognisable” as they reunited in 2023, 25 years after leaving the soap. The co-stars “beamed” as they caught up, with only Marc Bannerman (Gianni) missing from the gathering. Michael shared a touching photo, writing: “Not seen this lot for 25 years! My EastEnders mum and sisters. Was incredible to catch up [with] them all and go down memory lane Di Marco family.” Fans were thrilled by the reunion, with comments like: “Di Marcos should come back to the Square. It’s never been the same.” and “No one has aged!!! And you still beautiful.”
Michael Greco’s post-“EastEnders” life has been a captivating blend of unexpected success, personal growth, and continued connection to his acting roots, proving that life after a major soap role can be just as dramatic and fulfilling.
👉 Were you surprised by Michael Greco’s post-“EastEnders” career as a professional poker player? And do you think “EastEnders” made a mistake by not inviting him back for their 40th anniversary? Share your thoughts below! 👇
