Brush Strokes’ Jacko star Karl Howman is unrecognisable 36 years on from beloved sitcom

BRUSH Strokes Jacko star Karl Howman is unrecognisable 36 years on from the beloved sitcom.

Karl – who appeared in the sitcom from 1986 to 1991 – looks very different to his flamboyant womanising character.



Karl Howman (left) played Jacko on the sitcom Brush Strokes


The actor looks very different 36 years on

The show followed house painter Jacko and his love for life and the ladies who he constantly tries to impress, much to the disdain of his sister.

Jacko works alongside his brother-in-law, Eric (Mike Walling), who was married to Jacko’s sister Jean (Nicky Croydon) and lives with his sister and Eric.

He starred in 40 episodes over the course of five series, where Jacko tries to sees the best in each lady he meets and in turn, they like him.

The actor also starred Mulberry in Mulberry from 1992 to 1993 and He as Jakey Smith in the final series of Get Some In! in 1978.

He went onto star in the BBC series Blake’s 7, in the Minder episode All About Scoring, Innit? playing Danny Varrow, and in the episode May of The Sweeney playing Davey Holmes.

He most recently played the role as Buster Briggs in EastEnders from 2014 to 2016.

In his time on the show, Buster’s storylines included his relationship with Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and his relationship with his two sons Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo).

The fish stall worker also had an affair with Kathy Sullivan (Gillian Taylforth).

In July 2016, it was announced that Karl would be leaving the show after nearly two years.

Buster left the show after his relationship with Shirley and his affair with Kathy both ended in 2016.

In 1976, Karl married his wife Clare Lightfoot, in 1976 and the pair have two children, both are actresses Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo.

They also have six grandchildren: Katy-Ann, Molly, Florence, Poppy, Tommy and Alys.



He played the flamboyant womanising character in the 80s sitcom


He most recently played the role as Buster Briggs in EastEnders