THIS Hollyoaks fan favourite from the 00s now looks unrecognisable, as he marked 20 years since his soap debut this week.
The acid-tongued Northern Irishman, now 45, was known for his catty rows and heavy eyeliner – but his look has changed dramatically since leaving the Channel 4 soap in 2010.
The actor was in his early 20s when he bagged the role, which helped to launch his career in showbiz.
The Hollyoaks star in question is Gerard McCarthy, who shot to fame in 2006 playing student Kris Fisher.
Now in his mid-40s, actor Gerard, who looks a far cry from his soap days, has enjoyed a very successful career both on the stage and screen.
This week, the star reflected on his 20 year anniversary since he stepped into the spotlight on Hollyoaks.
Sharing a slew of pics from his time on the soap, Gareth penned: “I couldn’t possibly let this month pass without acknowledging that it’s been TWENTY YEARS since Kris Fisher first arrived in @hollyoaksofficial!
“The definition of outrageous, he slept with everyone, wore everything and didn’t give a toot about what anyone thought of him.
“Back in September 2006, long before we knew what a pronoun was, Kris was getting on with just being Kris!
“And there he was on @channel4, AT TEATIME! The clothes, the sexuality, the refusal to fit neatly into anyone else’s idea of what a man should be.”
Continuing, the star said: “Alongside the love triangles, friendships and spectacularly bad decisions, there was something rather wonderful about making room for somebody like Kris.
“He was vicious, funny, fragile and an absolute nightmare. What a gift to play.
“Hollyoaks, it was a joy! Thanks for the memories. And the wardrobe budget!”
Gerard signed off with: “Wonder where Kris would be today? Hmmm. Who remembers him?”
Fans went wild for the trip down memory lane, with one saying: “Iconic era!!! Iconic character.”
Another added: “I had such a crush. Kris was fantastic!”
After leaving Hollyoaks, Gerard went onto star in the Bafta-nominated drama The Fall alongside Gillian Anderson. as well as appearing in Netflix show Titanic: Blood & Steel, and Call the Midwife.
But the actor has also spent a lot of time on the stage, and has even trod the boards at the Shakespeare’s Globe.
Gerard is also known for appearing in huge West End shows like Legally Blonde and Tina Turner: The Musical.
However, last month the actor hit the headlines when he sensationally quit a West End play he was due to star in alongside Maureen Lipman, 80, citing the actress’ “pro-Israel stance”.
The pair were due to star in Stan Zimmerman’s Right Before I Go at the Soho Theatre.
But just a week before the show was set to kick off, Gerard posted a statement which read: “Because of views she has publicly and repeatedly expressed regarding Israel and Palestine, I did not feel comfortable personally promoting her involvement.
“I did not ask for her casting to be reconsidered or expect anyone else to share my position.
“I simply chose not to use my own platform to promote someone whose political views are at odds with my own.”
In response, actress Maureen described her former co-star as “cowardly” for quitting the play without speaking to her directly.
Speaking to The Times, she said his Instagram post was “virtue-signalling” and told Gerard to “grow up.”
“He has to wake up and smell the grass. I have worked with actors for 60 years who often don’t share my politics. I don’t ask them, and they don’t ask me,” Maureen added.