‘It’s quite dangerous!’: Ex-EastEnders star Tony Discipline reveals why he turned his back on acting to become a firefighter
He is best known for playing Tyler Moon in EastEnders from 2011 to 2013.
But Tony Discipline has turned his back on acting to become a firefighter for the London Fire Brigade.
The 31-year-old, who has tackled a fire in a block of flats, at a bakery and a waste disposal plant, said there have been occasions where he has been spotted by fans while on the job.
Rescue me! He is best known for playing Tyler Moon in EastEnders from 2011 to 2013. But Tony Discipline has turned his back on acting to become a firefighter for the London Fire Brigade
He told The Sun: ‘I was once walking back to the fire truck and someone walked past and said, “Oh my god what are you filming?” I said, “No, I’m a firefighter” and he said: “No, what is it? What show’s it for?”.
‘Another time a guy’s shed was alight, I was trying to put it out and mid-job he suddenly went: “Weren’t you in EastEnders, mate?”.
Tony, who was working at Billingsgate Fish Market when he landed the part of Alfie Moon’s cousin, joked: ‘I always knew the attention was because of the show, when I was down the fish market I wasn’t getting that attention.’
Time on TV: Tony was working at Billingsgate Fish Market when he landed the part of Alfie Moon’s cousin (pictured on the soap with Matt Lapinskas and David Essex)
Impressive: The 31-year-old has tackled a fire in a block of flats, at a bakery and a waste disposal plant, but said there have been tasks where he has been spotted by fans
The actor applied for the job in 2019 and said the idea of becoming a firefighter appealed to him because he could help the community and be part of something he was ‘proud of’, but said it is ‘quite dangerous’.
Tony’s character Tyler left Walford on 6 August 2013 to work on a cruise ship with his brother Anthony.
Speaking to Inside Soap in 2017, Tony said he was open to returning to the long-running show.
He said at the time: ‘When it was time to leave the show, I didn’t want to go – however, there were no more storylines for Tyler.
Time to say goodbye: Tony’s character Tyler left Walford on 6 August 2013 to work on a cruise ship with his brother Anthony, leaving Whitney devastated (pictured)
‘The best thing to do was have him go off on that cruise, but it’s been a blimmin’ long holiday. I think it’s time he came back.
‘When I got the call for EastEnders, it was like winning the lottery. I was working at Billingsgate Fish Market in the day and going to acting classes at night, it was so surreal to go from selling sea bass to being stopped in the street and asked for a picture.’
Tony previously dated Jacqueline Jossa but the couple split in 2013.
Proud: The actor applied for the job in 2019 and said the idea of becoming a firefighter appealed to him because he could help the community