Former EastEnders star Matt Lapinskas talks to ME & MY MONEY

Actor Matt Lapinskas charges a five-figure fee for work on a movie set, but he had to take jobs as a construction worker during the pandemic to make ends meet.

The former EastEnders star, who reached the final of Dancing On Ice in 2013, erected fences, patios and lawns to pay the bills while unable to act during the lockdown. Matt, 33, tells Donna Ferguson that his best financial decision ever was buying his home in Ascot, Berkshire, which has doubled in value since he bought it eight years ago.

He stars as Peter Pan in this year’s Christmas pantomime at the Ipswich Regent Theatre, which starts on Friday. Tickets are available at ipswichtheatres.co.uk.

What did your parents teach you about money?

They taught me to take care of it, work hard for it, and spend it wisely. My mother was a teaching assistant at the high school I attended, while my father is an oil and gas environmental engineer. They worked hard, did a good job and were supportive – my brother and I never wanted for anything.

They never let us know that money was tight. I think sometimes they were, but if they felt any stress at all about money, we never knew.

Have you ever had trouble making ends meet?

No. I’ve always found a way to take care of myself. I had a bad year in 2016 with very little acting coming in. I hadn’t taken care of myself the way I could have. Maybe I was enjoying life too much and physically I let myself go a bit and gained some weight. That wasn’t good for my casting, so not many roles came my way.

But I managed to turn it around quickly and get myself back on track. I feel great when I keep myself in shape and my agent makes sure I get lots of auditions for great roles that I probably couldn’t do if I wasn’t focused. It goes hand in hand with my job. If you look at male actors in Hollywood, they’re all chiseled, perfectly groomed men.

How did you pay the bills during the lockdown?

Before I started acting I did roofing jobs and worked as a construction worker.

I don’t like to do nothing, I like to stay active, stay positive. So I immediately decided to earn money working. I started my own landscaping business, putting up fences and installing patios and new lawns.

I kept myself very busy with only outdoor work so I didn’t have to hang out with anyone.

It kept me fit and healthy – and meant I could keep paying the bills.

Have you ever been paid stupid money?

Yes. Within the TV and movie industry, the money is good and I’ve been lucky enough to work on movies with great actors for a fee that makes me think, “Wow.”

I made one movie when my agent negotiated a really good fee. It then ran over time so they had to ‘borrow’ me from my other contracts as well. In the end, I was paid a five-figure fee for ten days’ work.

What was the best year of your financial life?

It was 2013. I had been in EastEnders for two years as bad boy Anthony Moon. I went straight to Dancing On Ice and then panto, playing Prince Charming, so I had constant work for good pay.

It was long hours, but it was really worth it. And I was able to save money and put down a down payment on a three-bedroom house in Ascot, Berkshire, where I’ve lived ever since.

The most expensive thing you bought for fun?

My Penhaligon’s aftershave, Halfeti. It costs around £190 for a 100ml bottle. I like to smell good.

What’s your biggest money mistake?

I bought a BMW outright when I was 23 for around £10,000. I sold it a few years later for £6,500. I will never buy a brand new car again.

The best money decision you’ve made?

Buying my house in Ascot. Without a doubt, that was the best decision. I got it for a good price – £280,000 – in 2014 and it’s now probably worth double what I paid for it.

A lot of my own handiwork has gone into it: I was able to strip everything myself, install a new kitchen, floors, architraves and skirting boards.

I redecorated the whole house and put in a new bathroom, with only occasional help from friends who work in construction.

Are you saving for a pension or investing in the stock market?

No, but I do have savings. Not in Isas, only in bank accounts. At the moment I prefer to save for my retirement that way. I don’t think I have enough knowledge to invest in the stock market. I wouldn’t know what I’m doing.

That one little luxury you treat yourself to?

I have a beautiful spa near my home, the Macdonald Berystede Hotel and Spa Resort. I pay for a monthly membership.

In addition to a gym, where I do my training, it has an outdoor pool, hydropool, sauna, steam room and salt room. It costs £140 a month, but I certainly get my money’s worth. It gives me my health and well-being.

If you were Chancellor, what would you do?

I would further reduce the energy bill for everyone. People choose between heating and eating and that just isn’t right.

Do you donate to a good cause?

Yes, I give my time. I play on a charity football team with other celebrities every other weekend. People buy tickets to watch us – it’s called Celebrity Soccer – and so far we’ve raised £1.5 million for a variety of causes.

I like being a tenacious or attacking midfielder. Sometimes I have to travel quite far and it takes all weekend, but it’s worth raising money for good causes. It’s also great fun and another ideal way to keep fit.

What is your first financial priority?

To live happily and still have my health. Money is good to have and I always want to make sure I have savings in the bank and the bills are paid. But my priorities are happiness, health and my family – girlfriend, parents, brother and friends.