Former Hollyoaks star Stuart Manning looks completely different compared to when he played Russell Owen in the Channel 4 soap.
The 40-year-old actor starred in Hollyoaks between 2004 and 2009 and briefly reprised his role for a short stint last year.
The actor left fans of the Channel 4 soap with their jaws on the floor when he spotted a selfie on Instagram yesterday revealing his massive beard and glasses.
He revealed his bushy facial hair was for a new role that had unfortunately been put “on ice” amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
(Image: xxxxxx/Instagram)
Stuart penned: “My beard is massive, I’ve been growing it out for an exciting new role… That’s now on ice for a while because of coronavirus.
“Should the beard stay or go? Comment below.”
Just two hours later, Stuart shared a new clean-shaven snap of himself as he revealed that he had listened to the public vote and got rid of the beard.
Keeping some stubble, Stuart announced: “The public (and the wife) has spoken! The beard has gone! We’re heading up to the Highlands tonight to escape all this madness. #staysafe.”
(Image: xxxxxx/Instagram)
Hollyoaks axed Stuart for good in November last year when his character briefly returned only to be brutally murdered in a hammer attack, after he was exposed for cheating on Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) by sleeping with Goldie McQueen (Chelsee Healey).
Speaking on a video posted to his Twitter page at the time, he said: ‘It’s been an amazing three months, the best time of my life working on Hollyoaks.
“I’ve met some of the most amazing people and worked with some of the most amazing people, cast and crew.
(Image: Mersey Television)
“Thank you to all you guys for being so amazing over the past… lots of years.
“But now I’m gone. Russ has been killed. So I don’t know what to say, apart from thank you. I’m going to miss everyone.
“I’m a bit gutted, to be honest. I didn’t really want to die. But there you go. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the hour episode. There’s lots more to come.”
Hollyoaks airs weekdays on Channel 4 at 6.30pm followed by first look episode o E4 at 7pm
