EastEnders' Zoe Slater actress stuns fans with youthful appearance in recent photo

Get the latest RSVP Live breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

Michelle Ryan, the EastEnders icon who departed from the show in 2005, has certainly kept her youthful appearance.

Now 40 and best known for her portrayal of Zoe Slater on the BBC One soap, she recently took to Instagram to share a fresh-faced selfie straight after a run, completely free of makeup.

Michelle, embracing a hands-on approach to beauty, confessed that she's been cutting her own hair with guidance from YouTube tutorials.

Michelle was just 16 years old when she stepped onto Albert Square in 2000, bringing life to Kat Slater's secret daughter.

Zoe Slater is remembered for her storylines and entanglements with characters such as Dennis Rickman and Dirty Den, and was even engaged to Anthony Trueman at one point.

One of her storied plotlines included a controversial New Year's Eve kiss with best friend Kelly Taylor in 2003—a moment that sparked debate but was staunchly defended by Brooke Kinsella, who played Kelly.

Reflecting on the impactful scene, Michelle once remarked: "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," reports the Mirror.

Michelle opened up to the Bristol Evening Post about her time playing Zoe, admitting that she "got quite bored in the end" with the routine, explaining: "Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things."

She definitively stated to the Daily Record that 'the door is closed' on her past role, adding: "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," Michelle said.

Following her departure, she almost broke into the American market with the lead role in the reboot of Bionic Woman, which was unfortunately cancelled after its first season.

Since then, the British actress has acted in several indie films, including 4.3. 2.1. and Cockneys vs Zombies, and appeared as a guest star in several BBC series such as Merlin, Doctor Who, and Death In Paradise. Her latest cinematic endeavour sees her taking on the role of Lady Charlotte in Frankenstein: Legacy.