EastEnders icons unrecognisable 30 years after soap’s groundbreaking storyline – can you guess who?

TWO EastEnders icons are looking unrecognisable these days, 30 years after the soap’s groundbreaking storyline in 1996.

The actors were part of one of the first same-sex romances and gay kisses on a mainstream British soap.

Have you guessed who they are yet? It’s none other than EastEnders legends Andrew Lynford and Mark Homer, who portrayed Simon Raymond and Tony Hills respectively.

Both stars look world’s away nowadays from their on-screen characters.

After doing a deep dive on social media, Andrew and Mark are both rocking facial hair, a far cry from their baby faced personas.

Andrew marked three decades since the controversial storyline as he shared screengrabs on his Instagram feed this week.

He penned: “30 years ago this week (yes actually 30) I made my first appearance in @bbceastenders playing #simonraymond.

“A life changing job for me, and forever grateful to have got this chance and be a part of the #EastEnders history.

“1996 was still a time when a gay character in a soap caused a stir. Glad to have been part of the drama.“

The pair still appear to be good pals as they posed for a snap that Andrew posted in November last year.

He said: “Someone recently chatted to me to say how the #TonyAndSimon storylines in @bbceastenders in the 90s positively impacted them coming out as bisexual.

“I adored working with my amazing chum @mjhomer1973 playing these roles is so gratifying when people still remember the work.

“We had fun but we also never underestimated how important it was.

“Awwww, what a truly amazing experience. And we still don’t look too decrepit!!”

Long-time fans of the soap flooded the comments to gush over the pair, calling the recreation “brilliant”.

“Brilliant! Both looking good,” one said, as another agreed: “You both look amazing… but Mark you will always be my first EastEnders crush.”

“So lovely to see you’re still friends,” a third gushed, as a fourth concluded: “You still got it the pair of you.”

Back in 1996, their characters Tony and Simon had the first gay kiss on the BBC One soap.

Visiting Blackpool together, the bisexual characters could be seen sitting at the end of the pier before sharing a kiss.

Interestingly, Tony was actually dating Simon’s sister Tiffany prior to their smooch.

The BBC scene received dozens of complaints from viewers at the time as it was shown before the 9pm watershed.

But many others noted the scene as “groundbreaking” and have long since called for the pair to return to Albert Squre.