New EastEnders star Stephen Aaron-Sipple has revealed his incredible weight loss, shifting nearly seven stone after a health scare led him to make big changes to the way he lives his life.

Stephen is taking on the role of Mark Fowler Jr who is back on the square after the character was recast, with Emmerdale's Joe Tate actor Ned Porteous being replaced. Fans are waiting to see what's in store for the son of Walford legends Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Michelle Fowler (Sue Tully) in the months ahead.

But Stephen has been talking about his past battles and before joining the BBC soap he shared his impressive transformation with his followers, after shifting an incredible amount of weight when he was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 29.

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"It was a serious punch in the face - I had abused my body so much that a part of it stopped working properly," Stephen told Men's Health back in 2019. "An early death was the lightbulb moment I really needed to take back control of my health."

He said he had become "accustomed to drinking and ordering takeout meals" before making some big changes to his life and finding fitness. He dropped a whopping 93 pounds and hasn't looked back, and says his decision to hire an online coach produced brilliant results.

Stephen recently addressed taking on the role on the iconic show and shared: "Having grown up in East London, EastEnders has been in my life since childhood and I’m excited to be joining not one, but two iconic Albert Square families! I’m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.”

Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square. Viewers had a glimpse of Mark in the New Years Day flashforward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year.”

Mark is not the only familiar face back on the show, with another character making their dramatic comeback next week. Joel Marshall is back onscreen, months after his arrest after his grim crimes, including his attack on Vicki Fowler.

He's in court, as he must face up to his crimes, with Vicki coming face-to-face with him. So it's a big week ahead for the show with new faces and old. Vicki's fearful about the court drama and is surprised when her brother Mark reveals he's back after 10 years. The character learned back in 2016 that he was the son of Grant Mitchell, and we will see him in scenes with his uncle Phil Mitchell when he's back.

Vicki reunites with her sibling, but she and others are soon wanting answers about his comeback. After lying to Vicki that he’s there to support her during Joel’s trial, Mark wastes no time in telling Phil the true story.

He requests help from his uncle who soon refuses, preoccupied with helping his pal Nigel Bates. Mark soon supports Vicki in court as she prepares to face her attacker and stepson Joel, with his father Ross Marshall also there.

Joel returns to screens months after he brutally attacked Vicki and left her for dead. With him exposed, he was arrested and charged, and now he awaits his verdict.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.