A former One Direction star's forgotten appearance in a hit noughties drama series, starring a trio of Gavin and Stacey stars, has resurfaced. Louis Tomlinson, who rose to fame as part of the global phenomenon One Direction, made a brief cameo in the ITV show Fat Friends.
The Show and Its Stars
Fat Friends starred James Corden, Ruth Jones, Gaynor Faye, Lynda Baron, and Allison Steadman, and was created by Kay Mellor. The ITV show followed the lives of a local slimming group, the 'Super Slimmers', as they each battled their own weight struggles. The popular programme ran from 2000 to 2005, with 25 episodes across four series, and has recently been released on Netflix so fans can relive the Leeds-based drama.
Louis Tomlinson's Cameo
ITV shared a clip revealing that Louis Tomlinson once appeared in an episode of Fat Friends. The singer shot to fame as one-fifth of One Direction, a boyband formed on The X Factor in 2010. Louis was put in the group alongside Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and the late Liam Payne. They mesmerised fans across the world, racking up four UK number one singles and four UK number one albums, with their best known songs including Story Of My Life, What Makes You Beautiful, and Best Song Ever.
But before his music stardom, Louis took on some acting gigs. Back in 2006, he made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in Waterloo Road, set in a Greater Manchester school. Now ITV have reminded fans of his brief appearance in Fat Friends.
The Resurfaced Clip
Sharing the clip on Instagram, the network's social media team wrote: "From Fat Friends to sold-out stadium tours #OneDirection #LouisTomlinson." The baby-faced star was seen sitting in a hospital waiting area when Rebecca Patterson, played by Emmerdale icon Lisa Riley, was rushed into A&E as she went into labour.
Lisa, who is best known for playing Mandy Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale, was actually reminded of the moment earlier this year. Sharing a screengrab of the scene on social media, the soap star wrote: "Last night someone sent me this absolute BELTER!!! This is a scene from @itv 'Fat Friends' where Me @lisajaneriley and James @j_corden our characters, best mates, Rebecca and Jamie are in hospital-as my character Rebecca is about to go into labour -look closely to see who the young lad in the waiting room is????"
She added: "It’s gorgeousness himself @louist91 soooo cute!!!" and "Good memories before he became part of the global sensation @onedirection." Fans were quick to comment, with @jessluciile saying: "MINI LOUIS OMG!" @iemy28_ echoed: "Mini Louis aww." @harrietplusbabies commented: "Omg I’ve watched these so many times and I’ve never noticed @louist91 Love Fat Friends!" @laurenemmadempsey added: "Doesn’t Louis look cute."
