Hollyoaks star unrecognisable 16 years after leaving E4 soap with bushy grey beard
A FORMER Hollyoaks hunk looks unrecognisable with a bushy grey beard – 16 years after leaving the famous E4 soap.
This actor was on the show from 2004 to 2009, and briefly reprised his role in 2018.
Did you guess the actor was Stuart Manning who played Russell Owen on the Channel 4 soap?
Now 45, the actor joined the soap when he was in his mid-twenties and was the soap’s pinup.
But now the actor – who during the noughties dated Liberty X star Jessica Taylor – is embracing a new look.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, Stuart was seen sporting a bushy grey beard and glasses.
His hair is also a lot longer, which he wore in curtains that fell down his face.
The soap star shared that he was on his “morning walk” and he was off to take a look at a “historic church”.
HOLLYOAKS HEARTTHROB
Stuart launched to fame as a Hollyoaks heartthrob when he was 26.
He was an instant hit with fans, and was rewarded with some big storylines.
This included his character Russ marrying Mercedes McQueen (albeit briefly), battling testicular cancer and dating twin Sophie Burton.
He also saved Sophie from the Dog In The Pond when it caught fire – only for her to die in his arms shortly afterwards.
During his time on Hollyoaks, Stuart cemented himself as the soap’s leading hunk.
Speaking in 2009 about often being “shirtless” on the show, he told OK!: “I think that’s part and parcel of being in Hollyoaks.
“If you’re a girl coming into the show, you’re going to be wearing short skirts and small tops, and for a guy you’re going to be in your underwear or shorts or a tight top.
“When I joined the show, I prepared for that and I worked out – especially when I was in the calendar a few years ago.
“I’m starting to get back into my old shape again!”
Asked at the time about how he felt about all the female attention he received, Stuart told the publication: “It’s always quite nice!
“Especially when you have to go and do signings in record shops and places like that – there are loads of women and a fair load of blokes too.
“I think the gay following for Hollyoaks is really big now, and that’s cool too.”
LEAVING HOLLYOAKS
After five years in the Hollyoaks spotlight, Stuart quit the soap in 2009 to peruse other projects.
He then shocked fans when he made a return to the show in 2018 – however this was for the last time.
Stuart’s character Russ was brutally killed in a hammer attack, after he was exposed for cheating on Mercedes by sleeping with Goldie McQueen.
LIFE AWAY FROM HOLLYOAKS
After leaving Hollyoaks for good, Stuart has continued to act.
He has starred in Doctors, The Dumping Ground, and Casualty.
The actor also appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2009.
Stuart even starred in US TV show Glow and Darkness, alongside Joan Collins and Jane Seymour, and Denise Richards.
Away from the showbusiness, Stuart is loved up with wife Georgina and they have two children together.
