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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

ITV Coronation Street Andy Whyment wows fans with throwback snaps as they double take thinking it's BBC sitcom star

Coronation Street star Andy Whyment got his co-stars and other TV favourites responding as he shared some baby-faced throwback snaps from one of his early TV jobs. Viewers of the ITV soap best know the actor for playing the slightly ditsy but loveable Kirk Sutherland for more than 20 years.

And while Salford-born actor Andy has since cemented himself as a firm favourite among Corrie viewers, away from the famous street, his first credited part was actually in Cracker in 1993 and he also had minor roles in The Cops, Heartbeat and Where the Heart Is.

Taking to Instagram this week, the soap star reminded fans of his time on Heartbeat with a few brilliant snaps which showed him looking very young and with longer, mousey brown hair than what Corrie viewers will be used to.

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"Throwback to when I played Eric in Heartbeat 22 years ago forgot what I looked like with a full head of hair," he joked in the post's caption. Andy's friends and co-stars were among the first to respond and couldn't help but comment on Andy's youthful appearance.

Sally Carman, who plays Corrie's Abi Webster, wrote: " Awww, baby Andy!" to which the 41-year-old actor replied: " I still look like a baby now Sal," alongside crying laughing emojis. And it didn't take long for Sally to agree.

Meanwhile, on-screen wife Beth Sutherland, played by actress Lisa George, commented: " Look at you!!!! So cute!!!!" before Andy said: " I don’t think I’ve ever been cute Lisa [crying laughing emojis] but thanks." And former Countdown star Carol Vorderman added: "Bless him," as Andy laughed in response: "I’ve not aged one bit Carol."

But while Andy may have been talking about Heartbeat, all fans could reminisce about was Andy's role in classic sitcom The Royle Family. As well as playing Kirk in Corrie, Andy is probably best known for portraying Darren Sinclair-Jones in the much-loved BBC hit.

@joereesglinos said: "Please do a post about when you played Darren in the Royle Family." @alliew28 wrote: "I remember you as Darren in The Royale family. You and Antony with the gold sovereign rings lol." @trevhowie replied: "What about the royal family? Daren??" @callumoldfie added: "Reminds me of Darren the Royle family you’ve not changed at all."

Fans were also doing a double take as while some felt Andy hadn't changed, others thought they were looking at another sitcom star. @jamie_lucas89 commented: "That's Rodney Trotter." @kaneycustarddd echoed: "Thought that was Rodney Trotter for a second!!!" @ade1728 joked: "Alright Rodders!!" @stueyboy20 typed: "I thought this was Rodney from only fools and horses for a minute!"

@lunnmarilyn posted: "What a little cutie, not much different to now." @bverity600 wrote: "Bloody hell m8 you ant changed a bit." @carolowens5876 echoed: "You haven’t changed." @jo.l.roberts shared: "You don't age." @colh321 added: "Omg you've aged so well you still look so young."

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