Former Skins star Mike Bailey has left fans gobsmacked after appearing virtually unrecognisable during a rare public appearance, and it's not just his looks that have changed dramatically.
Gone is Sid Jenkins' trademark floppy brunette hairstyle, replaced by a cropped blonde look on the now 38-year-old actor.
Fans React to Bailey's New Look
Fans of the show were left astonished by how different Bailey appeared during an appearance on the NSN podcast in March.
One fan remarked: "Took me some time to figure out this was Sid, ahahah," while another concurred: "I can hear Sid but I can't see him."
A third person observed: "bro that is NOT the same person," with another commenting: "So odd seeing him w blonde hair and not swoopy brown bangs a beanie and glasses lol."
A final viewer remarked: "Can't tell if I cant recognise him because it's been nearly 20 years, or because he doesn't have his hat on."
From Acting to Teaching
Bailey first captured audiences' attention back in 2007 when he portrayed the much-loved Sid in the cult teen drama. Mike, then just a teenager himself, featured in the opening two series of the show's seven-season run.
His co-stars included Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel and Daniel Kaluuya, who have all since carved out stellar Hollywood careers. Yet Mike opted for a completely different path, stepping away from the entertainment industry entirely.
The Bristol native traded acting for teaching, discussing his career change during a 2017 Radio Times chat.
"I kind of thought 'what the f**k am I doing with my life?' and ended up getting in a conversation with the wife a couple of years ago and decided that those who can't act teach," he revealed, reports OK!.
"10 years ago I never thought I'd still be talking about it, but [Sid] still does pop up every now and again."
Life After Skins
While his acting stint was relatively brief, Mike did appear in several productions, including the documentary 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth and the film We Are the Freaks. He now looks back fondly on his Skins experience as "a collective positive memory".
But it's his teaching role that truly resonates with him. During his appearance on the NSN podcast, he enthused: "I love it, it's the best job I've ever had."
Mike reflected on his varied career, saying: "It's one of those things, you know those cliché things, I go into work each day and it's completely different. It literally is."
Skins is available to stream on Disney+.
