I’m a 90s boyband legend with a very normal job now and I drive a battered old van – I can’t even afford my own home
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DESPITE topping the charts in the 90s - life these days for one former boyband star could not be further from the days of chart success. John Hendy, 53, rose to fame as a hunk in boyband East 17 but now works as a roofer in a much more 'normal' way of life.
![[Man with tattoos making a hand gesture.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/i-cant-even-afford-home-964993995.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
The former singer was part of the band who stormed the charts in the 90s alongside Brian Harvey, Tony Mortimer and Terry Coldwell. But for John, he has confessed in a new interview that he much prefers his current way of life in his "battered" old van than a lifestyle filled with cash and posh supercars.
![[Man installing red roof tiles.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/i-cant-even-afford-home-964993997.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
John had spoken out about the assumption he is likely a millionaire due to finding success in the band but he surprisingly only earned £125 a week during his time in the group. The band's ex-manager famously paid the boys that wage with it rising by an additional £25 every four months.
![[Photo of the pop group East 17.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/g4bp5r-pop-group-east-17-863387809.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Speaking to the Mail Online about the ups and downs of money in the music industry and his current financial situation, John said: "I don't ever regret anything like I say we come out with nothing but there's no point thinking about that, just get on with life, you know what I mean?.
![[Man holding 50th birthday balloons.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/i-cant-even-afford-home-964993992.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Life's too short. I don't let it get to me sort of thing. "I haven’t even got a house and people think you're millionaires and that, and I'm thinking, I don't even got an house out of it. "We should have all come out with a house, at least.". However, John admitted that despite hanging out with "rich friends", he is content with his work van and regularly discusses the highs and lows of having money with his pals.
![[East 17, a pop group, posing for a photo.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1995-left-right-terry-coldwell-658587679.jpg?strip=all&w=731)
