ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
What My Parents Are Aliens family look like now 20 years on from show
Home>Entertainment>TV
Updated 11:26 1 Jun 2026 GMT+1Published 10:59 1 Jun 2026 GMT+1

What My Parents Are Aliens family look like now 20 years on from show

The cast of the beloved kids TV show look a lot different these days

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

The cast of My Parents Are Aliens were on screen in most Brits living rooms on a weekly basis back in the 2000s.

But as it has been two decades since we said goodbye to the endearingly eccentric Barker brood, you might struggle to recognise some of them these days.

The child stars of the family favourite ITV show are all grown up now, while their otherworldly foster parents have also matured - and while some have embraced the entertainment industry, others have shunned the spotlight.

For the people who need a quick recap or those who are simply in the market for a dose of nostalgia, My Parents Are Aliens was one of the most enticing titles in the after-school TV lineup for kids in the UK.

Advert

The show had an incredible run on ITV from 1999 until 2006, with Brits sinking their teeth into eight seasons of the comical show which followed the lives of three orphaned children who are in the care of a pair of extraterrestrials.

My Parents of Aliens had an incredible seven-year run (ITV)
My Parents of Aliens had an incredible seven-year run (ITV)

Brian and Sophie Johnson's alien antics gave viewers endless laughs, while Mel, Josh, and Lucy's attempts to keep their secret under wraps from social services also provided a lot of hilarious moments.

But as well as giving us a bit of comic relief, My Parents Are Aliens also explored a few serious themes such as acceptance, family life, the foster system and the trails and tribulations that come with being a school kid.

All in all, it was an A* example of what children's television should be like - so, let's see what the beloved cast are up to now.

Brian Johnson - Tony Gardner

Gardner, 62, played the hilarious alien dad Brian Johnson (Instagram/@tonygardner64)
Gardner, 62, played the hilarious alien dad Brian Johnson (Instagram/@tonygardner64)

Tony Gardner's portrayal of the deliciously wacky Brian Johnson is one which is hard to forget - but fans have also seen him take on a string of other roles since the finale of My Parents Are Aliens.

The 62-year-old star went on to appear in a host of other popular TV productions, including the likes of New Tricks, Fresh Meat, Plebs, Unforgotten, Doctor Who and Death in Paradise.

These days, he's a granddad and a proud owner of an adorable dachshund - and Tony still dabbles in acting projects. His latest appearances were in Silent Witness and the BBC sitcom he wrote and starred in alongside Phil Hammond, Doctors On Hold.

Sophie Johnson - Carla Mendonca

Mendonca went on to appear in other popular TV productions (Instagram/@carlatmendonca)
Mendonca went on to appear in other popular TV productions (Instagram/@carlatmendonca)

Although she no longer sports her signature red hair-do, the hallmarks of Sophie Johnson still remain embedded in Carla Mendonca.

The 64-year-old, who took over the role from Barbara Durkin in 2001, continued to pursue a TV career following the end of My Parents Are Aliens, much like her on-screen husband.

She's taken a bit of a backseat in recent years, but did go on to bag roles in shows such as Dani's House, Doctors and even Coronation Street.

Mel Barker - Danielle McCormack

The star who played Mel now concentrates on her music career (Instagram/@the_danni_sweet)
The star who played Mel now concentrates on her music career (Instagram/@the_danni_sweet)

She starred as the stubborn older sister who adopted something of a motherly role towards her younger siblings - and although she's now 42, Danielle McCormack looks as though she's barely aged.

The Yorkshire-born actress, who played Mel Barker in My Parents Are Aliens, continued with a career in TV before then switching gears and breaking into the music industry.

Danielle provides vocals and plays the drums for a band called The Gospel, while she has also shared some behind-the-scenes secrets from her days on the children's TV show on social media in recent years.

Josh Barker - Alex Kew

Alex Kew pictured with his on-screen sibling Danielle McCormack (Instagram/@alexkewinsta)
Alex Kew pictured with his on-screen sibling Danielle McCormack (Instagram/@alexkewinsta)

Remembered for his trademark spiky hair, sniping sarcasm and get-rich-quick schemes, Josh Barker's baby-face remains etched in the mind of most Brits.

But at the age of 39, actor Alex Kew looks a lot different - and he's made music his main focus. Much like his character, he plays guitar, while he also describes himself as a singer-songwriter.

He's often gigging in and around London, while he's shared a fair few selfies online showing how he now sports a thick beard...and there's no gelled up spikes in sight.

Lucy Barker - Charlotte Francis

Gardner seen with Charlotte Benton (Instagram/@alexkewinsta)
Gardner seen with Charlotte Benton (Instagram/@alexkewinsta)

Charlotte Francis portrayed Lucy, the brainbox of the Barker family - and according to reports, she went down a similar path in real life too.

The child star is said to have focused on her studies after My Parents Are Aliens came to an end, while her social media presence is slim to none.

However, her on-screen brother Alex did previously appear to tag her in an Instagram post - which showed the pair smiling, while Charlotte sported a pair of glasses. Another showed Tony with her arm around her.

It appears she also may have got hitched, as her surname is now 'Benton'.

My Parents Are Aliens reunions

The cast reunited for the show's 25th anniversary and shared a sweet snap with fans (X/Tony Gardner)
The cast reunited for the show's 25th anniversary and shared a sweet snap with fans (X/Tony Gardner)

Much to the joy of long-time fans, the cast of My Parents Are Aliens have reunited a few times since the end of the show.

Some of the gang got back together in support of Tony, who was appearing in theatre production of Accidental Death of an Anarchist, back in March 2023.

Alex and Charlotte posed for a sweet snap alongside fellow cast members Olisa Odele (CJ), and Jordan Maxwell (Frankie Perkins).

The OG's also reunited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of My Parents are Aliens in November last year, with Tony sharing a sweet snap of them all on social media.

The actor also had a 'small' reunion with his on-screen children Danielle and Alex in May 2025 too, as the fellas each attended a gig by The Gospel to support the singer - and they marked the occasion by sharing a selfie.

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Topics: UK News, TV, Celebrity, Nostalgia

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Recommended reads

Heart doctor shares his biggest life lesson after 1000 days with no alcoholYouTubeAirlines could ban drunk passengers for life after Ryanair boss calls for alcohol limits in airportsGetty StockRugby league icon John Kear dies ‘suddenly’ one day after commentating on BBC coverageGeorge Wood/Getty ImagesSam Levinson confirms Euphoria will never return as Alexa Demie addresses quitting acting for goodHBO

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • HBO
    an hour ago

    Sam Levinson confirms Euphoria will never return as Alexa Demie addresses quitting acting for good

    "It just felt like the honest ending."

    Entertainment
  • Paramount Plus
    3 hours ago

    Major impact Tom Hardy’s MobLand ‘exit’ is set to have on upcoming season

    Following reports of alleged 'career suicide' behavior from Hardy, it was said thing were being 'worked through creatively'

    Entertainment
  • Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    James Van Der Beek’s ex-wife Heather McComb marries three months after actor's death

    McComb married the late Dawson's Creek star in the early noughties

    Entertainment
  • Instagram/@sydney_sweeney
    7 hours ago

    Sydney Sweeney takes swipe at critics as she shares behind-the-scenes Euphoria photos

    She marked the show's finale with some new images

    Entertainment
  • The ultimate UK festival prep guide, from outfits to camping essentials
  • What actor who played Elliot from E.T. looks like now more than 45 years later
  • What ‘world's hottest felon’ looks like now after sharing one regret about his appearance
  • Matilda child actor lives a very different life now after retiring more than 20 years ago