Former EastEnders star Liam Hatch has addressed the backlash he faced when he was cast as a schoolboy in the legendary BBC soap opera, despite nearing the age of 30
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
22:55, 23 Dec 2025Updated 22:55, 23 Dec 2025
Liam Hatch has opened up about his appearance on EastEnders(Image: BBC)
An EastEnders star has opened up about the backlash they faced over their controversial casting. Liam Hatch, 29, was cast as school bully Logan in the BBCsoap opera last year, and fans were left quite bewildered.
Despite playing a Year 12 schoolboy, who intimidated Amy Mitchel and Denzel Danes, Liam’s character was ten years older than the typical Year 12 students in England, who are between 16 and 17 in the UK. Introduced by Kate Oates and Chris Clenshaw, Liam’s character appeared in just one episode and attracted a fair amount of criticism on social media.
“The grief I had from it, from Twitter – I sell mortgages, I’m 41, the oldest man alive,” he said. Liam joked: “I don’t look that old!” He went on to explain that he wasn’t 16 when he took on the role, saying: “I was 26.”
Speaking about the response he received from friends and family, the athlete and actor added on the Rokman Podcast: “All my friends and family were like ‘Are you okay? People are taking the p**s out of you. Your age, looks.’ I was like ‘Oh God, I’m not that bad. I’m sure I SPF every day. I look good.
“My dad was loving it, he was like ‘He’s on The Sun!’ I think I’m the only man to be on Page 3 of The Sun topless!” He continued: “I always say to everyone, if your name is coming out of other people’s mouths, you’ve done something, and it doesn’t matter how good or bad it is, it’s happening.”
At the time of Liam’s episode airing, fans were quick to share their thoughts on social media. One said: “Why is this 44-year-old man walking around in a school uniform and picking fights with the local kids?” A second penned: “Almost certain that this schoolboy sold me my mortgage.”
Shortly after the criticism, Liam explained that the comment about being 44 had stuck with him. Speaking to The Guardian, Liam said: “I was looking in the mirror, thinking ‘surely I can’t be looking 44 – that’s five years younger than my dad!'”
Liam, who works as a personal trainer when he’s not preparing for his latest HYROX challenge, said that some of his clients believed he was around the age of 23.
He added to the outlet: “A few of my friends asked if I was OK. But I’m in the performance and fitness industries, I know you’re going to get critics. As long as the performance is showing you are that character, that’s what’s important to an actor. You’re not looking at the appearance but the emotion.”
Liam also explained that while he played a younger character, times had completely changed since he was around the same age as a Year 12 student. He explained that he tried to modernise himself, including his posture and body language as the current generation of teens “have more suave” when they walk and talk.
Music mogul Simon Cowell admits hearing of One Direction star Liam Payne’s death while filming almost lead to him cancelling his new Netflix series The Next Act
Simon Cowell almost cancelled new Netflix series after he heard about Liam Payne’s ‘horrific’ death(Image: NETFLIX)
But the record label owner was cautious about airing the footage, sending it to the late star’s family and his ex, Cheryl Tweedy, ahead of it being shown on TV. The show sees Simon on the hunt for the next big boyband, following the record-breaking success story of One Direction, but filming was almost cancelled when he found out the heartbreaking news of Liam’s death.
During the six-part series, Simon said of Liam: “He was just so normal and down to earth, he always had a sparkle in his eye. Everyone adored him. You don’t know how you feel about someone until you lose them. I am going to genuinely miss him.”
Speaking at the launch of the Netflix series, Simon opened up on how he handled the footage, which came as a complete shock to him and the crew. He told the Sun: “In the middle, there was that moment with Liam, which was just horrific. That really threw us.
“I was very close to him, and that was hard. We almost stopped filming. I had to go away, clear my head.
“We took a break for about two weeks. Before that it had been almost every day. I sent [parts of episode three] to Liam’s parents and Cheryl to see, for obvious reasons, and I said, ‘Look, I don’t want you to just see it when it airs’.
“And so the production company sent it to them, and they were fine with it. It was respectful, I think.”
The show also sees Cowell team up with Brit Award-winning singer-songwriter Kamille, who helps her former mentor Simon find a new boyband. She commented on Simon’s decision to continue filming the series in a Q&A with The Mirror.
She explained: “Not so much, at the time he took a break from filming because it was so devastating and he needed time to process it. We were all there for each other but it was such a sad time, I think part of you’s still shaken by it. But you know what, Simon’s very strong – and he really didn’t want to let these boys down, I think he carried on for that reason.”
The official synopsis reads: “Music mogul and record executive Simon Cowell has single-handedly created some of the biggest music superstars in the world. In this brand-new Netflix docu-series, cameras follow him everywhere as he sets out to do it again, to try and create the next global boyband sensation.
“This is unlike any show he has made before. From raw open casting calls to the release of their debut single, this is an all-access pass for viewers to catch every moment of Simon’s next chapter. Will he strike gold once again?”
HE held back tears in his Netflix documentary when he heard about the tragic death of One Direction star Liam Payne.
And I can reveal that, as a mark of respect, Simon Cowell sent the emotional footage from The Next Act to Liam’s family and his ex Cheryl Tweedy before it aired this week.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Simon Cowell held back tears in his Netflix documentary when he heard about the tragic death of One Direction star Liam PayneCredit: GettySimon sent the emotional footage from The Next Act to Liam’s family and his ex Cheryl Tweedy before it aired this weekCredit: Getty
The six-parter sees Simon searching for the next big boyband after the record-breaking success of 1D on the X Factor in 2010.
After the series dropped on Wednesday, the music mogul said he felt he “had to tell” Liam’s loved ones his passing was acknowledged on the show.
Simon said: “In the middle, there was that moment with Liam, which was just horrific. That really threw us. I was very close to him and that was hard. We almost stopped filming. I had to go away, clear my head.
“We took a break for about two weeks. Before that it had been almost every day. I sent [parts of episode three] to Liam’s parents and Cheryl to see, for obvious reasons, and I said, ‘Look, I don’t want you to just see it when it airs’.
“And so the production company sent it to them and they were fine with it. It was respectful, I think.”
The Next Act had been filming almost daily since December 2023, allowing cameras access to Simon’s talent hunt.
But he paused to consider if they should continue after Liam’s death in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October last year.
Liam and Cheryl, who were together for two years, share a son Bear, eight.
Simon said of Liam in the episode: “He was just so normal and down to earth, he always had a sparkle in his eye.
“Everyone adored him. You don’t know how you feel about someone until you lose them. I am going to genuinely miss him.”
After the two-week break, Simon said he realised he had made the show hopefuls “a promise”, so filming resumed.
The group, DECEMBER 10, have just signed a deal with EMI/Universal.
I was lucky enough to watch John, Cruz, Nicolas, Sean, Josh, Danny and Hendrik at a top-secret playback in London on Wednesday.
From what I saw, these boys will do Simon proud.
Lily’s Vic and Bob
Actress Lily Collins has channelled Victoria Beckham’s Spice Girl alter egoCredit: Instagram
LILY COLLINS has had a Posh makeover for the fifth series of Netflix’s Emily In Paris.
The actress has channelled Victoria Beckham’s Spice Girl alter ego for the series, which kicks off on Thursday.
Director Andy Fleming told Biz on Sunday: “There is for sure a Posh Spice vibe going on this season. I noticed it straight away. I mean, her bob. Hello?”
It comes after Lily was stunned to meet her idol Victoria on the set of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Looks like this season will be full of girl power.
New kind of Proff
PROFESSOR GREEN has revealed that he wants to study psychology.
The London-born rapper, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 40, said: “If I could pay my mortgage off tomorrow, I would go straight back into education.
“I would love to study psychology. I think it’s fascinating – the crossover between neuroscience and psychology.”
In the meantime, Pro Green is set to open healthy restaurant PG Fast Food in Glasgow next year.
Of its retro theme, he added: “It’s all very nostalgic for those of us who remember it – but it’s going to be future nostalgia for those who are creating new memories.”
Grinch must be feeling Jaded
Jade Thirlwall went all out and dressed up as the female Grinch characterCredit: BackGridThe Little Mix star loves to dress upCredit: GettyShe even persuaded her boyfriend, Rizzle Kicks rapper Jordan Stephens, to go with the green themeCredit: BackGrid
The former Little Mix singer is one of the most costume-committed celebs – rivalled only by Heidi Klum on Halloween.
But even Heidi would have been green with envy when she saw what Jade wore on a night out in London on Friday.
The singer, who turns 33 on Boxing Day, went all out and dressed up as the female Grinch character.
She even persuaded her boyfriend, Rizzle Kicks rapper Jordan Stephens, to go with the green theme.
Their bed sheets must have been a nightmare to clean . . .
Taylor hands mega bonuses to crew
Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour propelled her to billionaire statusCredit: GettyTaylor is believed to have handed out $197million – around £148million – in bonuses to every person who helped with her showsCredit: Disney
And after making fans’ dreams come true with her dazzling show, the US superstar did the same for her tour crew.
The Shake It Off hitmaker is believed to have handed out $197million – around £148million – in bonuses to every person who helped with her shows.
Taylor thanked each crew member with a handwritten letter, sealed with a wax stamp, and a bonus – with each of her truck drivers understood to have received cheques for $100,000 (£75,000).
One insider, who worked in catering, said they were able to pay off their student loan and still have thousands of dollars left over.
And in her new Disney+ documentary, The End Of An Era, Taylor is seen handing out the huge cheques to her dancers.
She said: “It took me a couple of weeks – but it is fun to write the notes.
“It is fun to think about everyone’s lives that they are going to go back to and the time off they are going to have. And the kids they haven’t seen because they have been away for months and making that worthwhile for them.
“It feels like Christmas morning when you finally get to say thank you.”
Speaking to her dancers, Taylor said: “The tour has done really well thanks to all of our hard work so if you would kindly read this message . . . ”
Handing the letter to dancer Kam Saunders, he read: “Dearest Kam, we have travelled the world like we set out to do.
“We have dazzled the crowds but we have missed family too.
“My full gratitude doesn’t come from the bank – but here’s (bleeped out) just to say thanks. Love, Taylor.”
The dancers were seen hugging and crying after receiving the life-changing bonuses.
One dancer even clutched an inhaler after opening her letter.
I imagine I would have hyperventilated as well.
Oasis bank fortune for reunion tour
Liam and Noel Gallagher made $405,428,435, sold 2,228,471 tickets to their long-awaited reunion gigs, with a nightly revenue of $11,261,901 – £8,430,546.47Credit: Getty
THE drinks are on the Gallagher brothers this Christmas after the Oasis Live ’25 comeback tour raked in an incredible £303million.
New stats by US music mag Pollstar have revealed Britpop pioneers Noel and Liam made $405,428,435, sold 2,228,471 tickets to their long-awaited reunion gigs, with a nightly revenue of $11,261,901 – £8,430,546.47.
Their 41-date trek spanned five continents and 13 countries between July and November.
And the siblings played to an average of 61,902 people per night.
Meanwhile, the average fan is believed to have spent £136 on a ticket.
I revealed last week that Noel, who has an estimated net worth of £53million, was whisking his family off to the Maldives for a festive getaway after five months on the road.
Oasis ranked No2 in the biggest-grossing tours of 2025 – with US superstar Beyonce holding the top spot .
The Texas Hold ’Em hitmaker saw her Cowboy Carter Tour gross $407,600,113, (around £305million), with an average ticket price of £191.
But Shakira, The Weeknd and Lady Gaga all had to settle for spots further down the Top Ten.
Some might say Noel and Liam nailed it . . .
Rushing back into Big Time
Big Time Rush have revealed they have a whole new generation of fans, thanks to NetflixCredit: GettyThe Sun’s Emily Webber with Big Time Rush backstage at WembleyCredit: Supplied
THEY rose to fame as teenagers on a US TV series about a boy band – and 16 years later Big Time Rush have revealed they have a whole new generation of fans, thanks to Netflix.
The streaming giant gave a new lease of life to the original series of the sitcom, which first aired in the States from 2009 to 2013 and featured the group playing a fictionalised version of themselves.
Biz on Sunday’s Emily chatted to band members Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Penavega and Logan Henderson backstage ahead of their final tour date at London’s Ovo Arena Wembley on Thursday.
Kendall said: “We got lucky during Covid because Netflix picked up the show. Everybody was at home just binge watching stuff, so this whole new generation of kids started watching it.”
Carlos added: “It’s weird seeing my kids come to the show because they didn’t even exist back then.”
Asked how touring compares now they are in their 30s, Kendall replied: “We all definitely went out a lot more in our 20s – but now I truly enjoy getting up early and getting to see different aspects of the city.”
Logan added: “When we were younger, things were moving so fast we didn’t really get a chance to breathe and really soak it in.”
From what I saw on Thursday night, the boys are still on their A-game.
Check out Big Time Rush on our TikTok channel where the boys reveal their Sunday Setlist. Scan left.
This week who would I…
Snog
Toni Laites, who won Love Island in August, is now a Crohn’s and Colitis UK AmbassadorCredit: instagram/tonilaites
Marry
Snow Globe Up The 02 is a festive adventure that took Mum and I on a fab Christmassy climbCredit: Supplied
Avoid
Getting on board any train that is packed full of Christmas party revellers enjoying themselvesCredit: Getty
