Coronation Street star looks unrecognisable 12 years after love triangle with Michelle Keegan

Coronation Street star looks unrecognizable 12 years after love triangle with Michelle Keegan – but can you guess who it is?

He was a famous soap star 12 years ago after appearing on Coronation Street as one of Michelle Keegan’s love interests.

But the actor, 41, looked unrecognizable when he appeared on TV this week sporting a full beard and a healthy-looking head of hair.

He even appeared on a fake episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show about a fictional Corrie love triangle, but can you guess who it is?

It’s Craig Gazey, who starred in Coronation Street as Graeme Proctor and debuted in 2008 as David Platt’s former prison cellmate.

His character had a stint as Weatherfield’s window cleaner and live-in garden expert before taking a job in the street’s butcher shop.

Worlds apart: this soap star looks unrecognizable with a full beard – but can you guess who it is?

That's right!  It's Craig Gazey - who starred in Coronation Street as Graeme Proctor and made his debut in 2008

That’s right! It’s Craig Gazey – who starred in Coronation Street as Graeme Proctor and made his debut in 2008

Along the way, he romanced Tina McIntyre (Michelle), who was dating David (Jack P. Shepherd) at the time.

The actor said leaving the long-running ITV1 show was not an easy decision.

He said, “When I first joined the cast I had no idea how much I would enjoy being part of such a great team.

“But I became an actor because of the diversity of the work and the opportunity to play different roles. I also really miss working in the theatre.

“I feel it is the right time for me to leave after two and a half fantastic years playing a unique and brilliantly written character.

“I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope I get the chance to show my versatility as an actor and work on different projects.”

Set in Morecambe (hence the title and windswept seascapes), the series revolves around a West Lancashire Police Family Detective whose job is to support the relatives of victims of serious crimes.

Morven Christie played DS Lisa Armstrong in the first two series, but was replaced by Marsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend for series three.

Acting: He even appeared in a mock episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show about a fictional Corrie love triangle

Acting: He even appeared in a mock episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show about a fictional Corrie love triangle

Romance: Along the way, he got into a romance with Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan), who was dating David (Jack P. Shepherd) at the time.

Romance: Along the way, he got into a romance with Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan), who was dating David (Jack P. Shepherd) at the time.

A devastating fire engulfs a family home, sending flames into the air. A terrified woman trapped inside screams when she realizes she cannot escape. This is the gripping sight that opens the fourth series of ITV’s thriller The Bay, continuing its reputation for heartbreakingly emotional scenes.

In Jenn’s first case, the body of a young boxer was discovered in Morecambe Bay, and this time she must gather information about the fire and the family whose home was destroyed.

“At the beginning of episode one, Jenn gets a call,” says Marsha, 47. “She gets there as fast as she can and this house is ablaze and the kids are outside screaming. It’s heartbreaking. The fire was very intense, very harrowing, it made me very emotional.’

The Bay, Wednesday, 9pm, ITV1.

Drama: In the fourth series of ITV's thriller The Bay, a young mother of four, Beth Metcalf, dies in what appears to be a targeted attack, while Morecambe's MIU team is called to the scene

Drama: In the fourth series of ITV’s thriller The Bay, a young mother of four, Beth Metcalf, dies in what appears to be a targeted attack, while Morecambe’s MIU team is called to the scene