Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew looks unrecognisable with a new look since leaving the popular soap as he reunited with his former cast members in Manchester.
Ian played domestic abuser Geoff Metcalfe in the ITV soap for three years between 2018 and 2020. His character was killed off during a rooftop showdown with his ex-wife and victim of his abuse Yasmeen (Shelley King) and her daughter Alya Nazir (Sair Khan).
The 68-year-old actor looked completely different to his character on the cobbles when he appeared on Manchester's Lowry Theatre's purple carpet for photographs before a performance of Mother Goose on Wednesday (April 5).
Fans spotted the evil domestic abuser as he donned a black shirt and black dinner jacket combination while sporting a grey beard and black-rimmed glasses.
He stepped out alongside his on-screen stepdaughter Sair Khan as well as fellow co-stars Mollie Gallagher, Antony Cotton and Corrie legend William Roache. West End star Jodie Prenger was one of the many other faces to make an appearance.
Since leaving Coronation Street, Ian has been returned to the stage after being cast in a production of The Homecoming alongside Gavin and Stacey actor Matthew Horne.
He also featured on another primetime ITV show in 2022 when he shocked fans on Britain's Got Talent with a performance of an original song he had written during the first coronavirus lockdown for domestic abuse charity Women's Aid.
Speaking on the show, Ian explained: "The song I am singing I wrote myself and was used in a campaign by Women's Aid to raise awareness about domestic abuse. I am not here for me, I am here for the charity and the abused victims."
He added: "The song just came out and I approached Women's Aid and that is why I am standing here now as this program has the most amazing reach."
Meanwhile, former Corrie star has reportedly ended her marriage with Kenny Linden and moved out following the split.
The soap star, who played Cilla Battersby-Brown, has separated from her husband, who recently registered as blind due to a rare hereditary condition called PXE (pseudoxanthoma elasticum), after 20 years together, it has been claimed.
Wendi, who is currently starring in BBC soap Doctors, is said to be focusing on her new role in the wake of the split.
