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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Frankie Cocozza is unrecognisable 12 years after X Factor fame on his 30th birthday

Frankie Cocozza is unrecognisable in throwback snaps as his showbiz pals wished him a happy 30th birthday.

The father-of-one shot to fame on the X-Factor in 2011 when he was just 18 and rocking a shock of floppy black hair.

Frankie now cuts a more casual figure, wearing his shorter hair slicked back.

But TOWIE star Kirk Norcross couldn't resist sharing pics of his pal with his old barnet, writing: "Happy Birthday Moosh!"

The hilarious montage included a pic of the pair in bed as the wannabe rocker fed the reality star chocolates as Kirk swigged from a bottle of champagne.

Also wishing Frankie a happy birthday was X Factor star Marcus Collins, who appeared on the show with the birthday boy.

Wishing his pal many happy returns of the day, he shared a pic of the pair with X Factor's Craig Colton as they attended a concert for the late George Michael.

He looks a lot different now (frankiecocozza/Instagram)
Frankie Cocozza with X Factor's Craig Coulton and Marcus Collins (Getty Images)

Frankie enjoyed a brief stint in the limelight after he auditioned for the X Factor in 2011.

He got through to the live shows and had Gary Barlow as his mentor, but was booted out of the competition after admitting to taking cocaine.

In 2012, Frankie came second in Celebrity Big Brother.

But despite getting paid £30,000 to star on the show, he quickly spent his prize money and at one point was left with just £5 in his account - admitting he was a "drug addict".

Speaking on The James Smith Podcast last year, Frankie, admitted: "I know that if the money hadn't run out I would still be snorting gear, I would say it's a fact.

"I am a drug addict, it's as simple as that. I love cocaine, I'm sorry, I do."

In 2017, he joined Celebs Go Dating looking for love, but Frankie's search was fruitless until he met model Bianca Murphy, who he went onto marry.

The pair got hitched in May 2018 in Brighton before welcoming their baby, Frankie Jr.

The family moved to Australia where Frankie chopped off his locks in a bid for a new look.

Frankie came second on Big Brother in 2012 (PA)
He married Bianca in 2018 (frankiecocozza/Instagram)

Taking to Instagram, the star recently shared a picture with his 151k followers that prompted many of them to comment on his transformation.

One teased: "Can I see a few grey hairs there boy?"

While another said: "Young Frankie that I've been following for 10 years has grown into a man."

Despite their move to Australia, Frankie and Bianca decided to separate last year with the model removing all trace of the singer from her Instagram.

Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.

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