What EastEnders' Zoe Slater looks like now - 20 YEARS after her exit

Michelle Ryan has not aged a day since she quit EastEnders 20 years ago in 2005.

The former soap actress, 40, who was known for playing Zoe Slater, recently showcased her very youthful looks in a makeup-free Instagram post.

In the candid snap, she revealed that she took the selfie straight after she finished a run.

It seems that Michelle is keen to maintain her looks without any professional assistance as she confessed that she cuts her own hair following a YouTube tutorial.

But she does look into skincare, as she credits the £10 Talika Hydrating Mask as the 'best' in the business and the key to dewy skin.

Michelle - who polled at number four in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in 2005 - regularly flaunts her clear skin in makeup-free and post-workout snaps on social media.

The actress was just 16 when she joined the drama in 2000, taking on the famous role as Kat Slater's secret daughter.

During her time in Albert Square, her character, Zoe had a whirlwind of romances.

She was involved with Dennis Rickman, Dirty Den, she got engaged to Anthony Trueman.

She also famously kissed her best friend Kelly Taylor on a New Year's Eve night out in 2003 when they got stranded and started getting emotional.

The kiss sparked criticism at the time, but Brooke Kinsella, who played Kelly, defended the scene.

She said: 'It's not a gratuitous ratings getting move, it's not some kind of big lesbian kiss.

'It's the way two best friends who have a lot of love for each other show their emotions.'

Despite the controversy, Michelle admitted that she 'got quite bored in the end' playing Zoe, telling the Bristol Evening Post: 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things.'

She insisted 'the door is closed' to the Daily Record, explaining: 'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show but the door is closed.

'I've always taken chances. I think that's how you progress – by stepping out and doing different things.

'I really do like my freedom and jumping from job to job. I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.'

After leaving the show, the star almost cracked America after landing the leading role in the reimagining of the popular seventies TV show Bionic Woman, though the show was cancelled after just one season.

Since then the British star has appeared in several independent films, including 4.3.2.1. and Cockneys vs Zombies.

She has also had guest roles in BBC shows Merlin, Doctor Who and Death In Paradise.

Her most recent acting film appearance was in Frankenstein: Legacy where she starred as Lady Charlotte.

Michelle's acting career has not been heavily populated over the years as she typically stars in one production a year.

But it appears her fans want to see more of her as they speculated her return ahead of the iconic EastEnders live episode that was produced to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

When Michelle shared an album of throw-back snaps of her on set 20 years ago to Instagram, her fans flocked to her comments as they were convinced she would make a return.

One penned: 'You can't convince me that you're not a secret return for the 40th, Jessie talking about wanting you to return, now this….its happening, you just can't say, double like if it's true'

'Please come back loved the kat and Zoe storyline'

'I would love Zoe to return to Eastenders if she does I would love to see Zoe have scenes with her brothers and with Stacey and Jean and Lily'

'I thought u were coming back then don't get my hopes up like that!!! Please please please please come back'

The throwback picture highlighted how little the actress has aged as she looked incredibly similar to her makeup-free snaps with her pale plump skin and think brunette tresses.

To celebrate the anniversary, the soap aired a special hour-long episode on Wednesday which was followed by a full live episode on Thursday.