'UK's most-hated TV villain' unrecognisable 22 years on after soap exit in new BBC drama

A soap legend was barely recognisable as he graced the screen in a gripping new TV series, over two decades since his departure.

Alex Ferns became a household name as the notorious Trevor Morgan in BBC One's EastEnders, where he first appeared in 2000. Portraying the villainous Trevor, he was once branded Britain's "most-hated soap villain."

He gained notoriety for his character's abuse of wife Little Mo (played by Kacey Ainsworth), culminating in one of the soap's most memorable moments when she struck him with an iron in self-defence.

Trevor's storyline concluded in 2002 when he perished in a fire at the home he shared with Mo. Fast forward 24 years, and actor Alex has returned to our screens in a fresh TV drama.

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Nightsleeper debuted on Sunday night (September 15). Featuring Peaky Blinders' Joe Cole, this six-part thriller centres on passengers of a sleeper train journeying from Glasgow to London, reports the Express.

The plot thickens when the train is overtaken by hijackers, pushing the passengers to their limits as they strive to survive against the clock.

Crafted by BAFTA-winning scribe Nick Leather, known for Mother's Day and The Control Room, Nightsleeper promises a mix of "personal intrigue, political manoeuvring and danger".

Among those caught up in the chaos is Alex's character, Arran Moy. It wasn't long before eagle-eyed Nightsleeper viewers recognised him on the show.

On X, one user queried: "Isn't that Evil Trevor from EastEnders. Another responded: "That's him. It was bugging me.

"A third joined the conversation on the social media platform, writing: "Good to see Trevor from Eastenders on this. " Meanwhile, another person pondered: "Is that Trevor from Eastenders??".

Alex is part of a star-studded cast in BBC's Nightsleeper. The character of off-duty police officer Joe Roag, who finds himself on the hijacked sleeper train, is portrayed by actor Joe Cole. Other notable stars include The Bay's Sharon Small, Jack Ryan's James Cosmo, The Devil's Hour star Alex Ferns and Vigil actress Lois Chimimba.