He returned to EastEnders for a love triangle storyline before quitting Walford for good he is now immersed in the glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing 2018.
Who is Lee Ryan?
Lee Ryan, 35, was born in Kent in 1983 and rose to fame in the early 2000s as one of the founding members of boy band Blue along with Simon Webbe, Anthony Costa and Duncan James.
Since releasing the first of their three UK number one albums, All Rise, in 2001, the band have sold 15 million records worldwide, including a series of hit singles.
Blue reunited after a six-year hiatus in 2011 to represent the UK in the Eurovision song contest with their track All Rise, coming 11th.
Since taking part in the 2013 ITV show The Big Reunion they have released a further two albums, Roulette and Colours.
During his time away from the band, Lee embarked on a solo singing career, his self-titled album charting at number six in the UK charts in 2005.
He has been involved in some controversy, being banned from driving for 18 months in 2003 after being caught drink driving.
Lee was also fined £300 in 2008 after being found guilty of assaulting a taxi driver, claiming in court that his fame often made him a target in public.
In 2015, Lee became the fourth and final Blue band member to declare himself bankrupt.
When was Lee confirmed to be going on Strictly?
On August 20, 2018, Lee announced on Loose Women that he would be on Strictly Come Dancing 2018.
He told the panel: “I was nervous even to say yes.
"I did [go to Italia Conti] but I used to run out my dance lessons and hide in my singing lessons.
"Have you ever seen a Blue concert? We lean! I am [nervous]."
Lee is the second member from Blue to join the show, following in Simon Webbe's footsteps.
And this was partly the reason why Lee signed up, telling the BBC: "Four years later the man is still doing his ballroom moves on stage. It changed his life.”
Singer Lee Ryan will be aiming for the Glitterball with a little help from dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
The Sun exclusively revealed the pair threatened to become the first couple this series to be affected by the infamous curse after they were spotted holding hands.
On October 5, Lee addressed growing speculation over his relationship with his Strictly dance partner by saying he was only caught holding Nadiya’s hand to save her from being hit by a bus.
Who did Lee Ryan play in EastEnders?
Lee's role on EastEnders was unsurprisingly an Albert Square bad boy, known as “Woody” Woodward.
After landing a part on the popular soap, the 34-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be part of the show. Woody is the best role I could have wished for.
“He’s a brilliant character and it’s clear he’s led a colourful life."
Fans were sent into a frenzy when Lee made his EastEnders debut in April 2017.
However after taking ill and a short stay in hospital Lee took a break from filming before returning back to the square in November 2017.
But he left the role again in May 2018.
What other TV shows has Lee Ryan been in?
In 2014 Lee appeared on the 13th series of Celebrity Big Brother, becoming involved in a love triangle with glamour girl Casey Batchelor and Jasmine Waltz and finishing in seventh place.
His EastEnders role is not Lee's first acting experience – he appeared in the 2010 Brit thriller The Heavy alongside Vinnie Jones, and had a part in an episode of Holby City as a teenager in 2000.
The footie fan also took part in a celebrity football match held in aid of the Smile for Joel charity – set up in aid of the Walsall FC fans killed in the Tunisian terror attack.
He played alongside another EastEnders' star Jake Wood and was managed by Katie Price.
Is Lee Ryan married?
Lee became engaged to Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon in 2003, but later split after Liz said she found being in a celebrity couple too hard.
In 2008, the Blue star announced he was engaged to hairdresser Samantha Miller after meeting her on MySpace, with whom he had a son, Rayn, born in November 2008.
However, the couple separated after he was charged with assault after allegedly hitting his partner – the charges were dropped at her request.
Lee also has a daughter, Bluebell, with Jessica Keevil.
Lee entered a relationship with Jasmine Waltz following their time together on Celebrity Big Brother, but their romance only lasted a few months.
Until June 2017 Lee was dating former Miss Universe Great Britain Jaime Lee-Faulker.
In September 2018 The Sun revealed that he was dating 22-year-old beauty queen and Kazakhstani model Diora Romanova.
When is Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One?
Strictly Come Dancing kicked off with the launch show on September 8, 2018.
The new dancing couples took a two-week break to rehearse before the live shows returned on September 22.
For those that miss an episode, they will be made available on the iPlayer.
This year's judging panel consists of Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell.
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