Coronation Street actor unrecognisable with blonde hair in iconic children's TV show

A former star of Tracy Beaker has undergone a dramatic transformation and is now unrecognisable as a Coronation Street heartthrob.

The popular children's TV show, based on Jacqueline Wilson's book of the same name, was broadcast on CBBC from 2002 to 2005.

The series followed the life of young Tracy (Dani Harmer) in care, along with the other children and adults who looked after them.

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Introduced in the second series was trainee care worker Nathan Jones, who eventually became a full-time care worker after finally finishing his coursework.

Nathan was a fixture on our screens until the third series. The character was brought to life by actor James Cartwright, reports Leicestershire Live.

Soap enthusiasts have only just clocked that he is currently portraying Theo Silverton in Coronation Street. The actor, 40, first appeared on the Cobbles in March this year.

Theo is married to Danielle Silverton (Natalie Anderson), but unbeknownst to her, he'd been conducting a secret affair with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce).

The pair were introduced by Todd's late aunt Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) after a metal pole from some scaffolding he was working on nearly hit her.

Theo and Julie initially butted heads as he thought she was trying to swindle money from him, but later found out she had terminal cancer.

The scaffolder told Todd that he wasn't gay, but they soon found themselves unable to resist each other and embarked on a covert relationship.

Todd was left devastated when Theo's wife turned up on the cobbles, revealing a 19-year marriage that had been kept under wraps.

The character of James made waves earlier in the year when his arrival was announced. Speaking about his role, he remarked: "I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour."

The actor couldn't hide his enthusiasm for joining the cast, fondly recalling, "a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she'd make me a crumpet and we'd sit there and watch Corrie."

He also shared: "'I feel like it's a great honour to be a part of something that's brought joy to people for so long."

James' career has spanned more than just Coronation Street and Tracy Beaker; he's graced the screen in The Bill, Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise, Function at the Function, and Clocking Off back in the early 2000s.

Following his time in the Tracy Beaker series, he appeared in Outlaws, Blackpool, Missing, The Afternoon Play, and Instinct.

His acting journey continued with roles in Holby City, Hollyoaks Later, Dracula, Doctors, Love, Lives and Records, and even Downton Abbey.

More recently, James took on the role of Humphrey Lash in Sister Boniface Mysteries, Stephen Lampart in Dalgliesh, John I Lackland in Glow and Darkness, and Jimbo Riley in Father Brown.

Coronation Street is on ITV at 8pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and available to stream from 7am on ITVX