Balamory's Penny Pocket actress wows with dramatic transformation 20 years on

Balamory actress Kim Tserkezie has appeared looking dramatically different nearly two decades on from playing her much loved children's TV character.

The former CBBC star played the role of Penny Pocket in the colourful Scottish fictional island in a soap opera style show aimed at nougties toddlers with it's catchy 'What's the Story in Balamory?' theme song.

There were even a number of famous faces who cropped up in Balamory, including broadcaster Terry Wogan, celeb chef Keith Floyd and former EastEnders star John Altman, who played 'nasty' Nick Cotton.

The BAFTA award winning BBC show ran between 2002 and 2005, focused on the lives of eight characters including of course Geordie actress Kim.

Kim Tserkezie starred as Penny Pocket (Unknown)

Now 46, she will forever be linked to her character Penny who ran Balamory's local shop and cafe together with Suzie Sweet, who was played by Mary Riggans.

Sadly Mary passed away in 2013 after suffering a stroke the year before.

Since the show came to an end, Kim has held a number of roles including writing, acting and presenting.

Kim recently shared her shock and delight at making the top 10 in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100.

Actress Mary Riggans as Suzie Sweet (BBC)

Julie was in Balamory for all four series (BBC)

It honours people who are pioneering while also celebrates success, inclusion and advocacy.

The CBBC star ranked seventh in the list.

Taking to Twitter, she said: "Shocked and thrilled. Made Top 10 in Powerlist 100 and also winner of the media and publishing category!

"Thank you so much @ShawTrust and all who nominated me."

Kim was diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disorder spinal muscular atrophy as a child and HAS used a wheelchair for most of her life.

Since Balamory success, Kim later appeared in TV drama Obsession and earned a Royal Television Society Award in 2020 for best drama performance.

Meanwhile the main character of the show, every Balamory episode started with cherry Miss Hoolie heading off to work at the nursery.

Miss Hoolie was known for her iconic hairstyle (BBC)

Balamory was a big hit with kids in the 00s (Press Association)

The green-wearing teacher was the narrator for every episode and always summarised the events at the end.

Actress Julie Wilson Nimmo admitted she became so well-known she couldn't even take her two children to the local park without being mobbed by fans.

When Balamory came to an end, Julie starred in a couple of radio shows and played DC Megan Squire in BBC Scotland comedy show Scot Squad.