David Leon, famed for his role as DI Joe Ashworth in Vera, was almost unrecognisable in his early acting days in a drama.
The actor first appeared on Vera in 2011 alongside Brenda Blethyn’s DCI Vera Stanhope and remained a key character until season four when he made way for DS Aiden Healy, played by Kenny Doughty.
However, following Aiden’s exit in season 13 last year, Leon returned to the cast of Vera for the final two series, which concluded earlier this month. Prior to his success with the award-winning series, Leon had a completely different look in another drama.
In 2004, he landed his first major role as coffee shop manager Troy Gillespie in the series Cutting It. Unlike his slick, bearded appearance as DI Joe Ashworth, Leon sported longer, wavier hair and minimal facial hair as Troy.
His attire also differed significantly, often opting for a more casual look of hoodies, jeans and trainers, although he did dress up for a scene where he played guitar in the street.
Vera star David Leon completely unrecognisable in 21-year throwback with Amanda Holden (Image: ITV/GETTY)
Vera actor David Leon played Troy Gillespie in the BBC series Cutting It. (Image: BBC)
Leon shared the screen in Cutting It with several well-known actors, including Sarah Parish from Bancroft, Britain’s Got Talent’s and Angela Griffin from Waterloo Road.
In the show, Leon’s character Troy was the half-brother of Holden’s character Mia Bevan.
The drama, which earned award nominations, chronicled “the traumatic life of hairdresser Allie Henshall (Sarah Parish), alongside her lovers, her rivals and her dysfunctional family”.
The show enjoyed a successful run spanning four seasons before concluding in 2005.
Vera is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.