{"id":54325,"date":"2025-08-09T05:32:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T05:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/54325\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T05:32:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T05:32:09","slug":"emmerdale-star-looks-completely-unrecognisable-18-months-after-quitting-the-soap-but-can-you-guess-who-it-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/54325\/","title":{"rendered":"Emmerdale star looks completely unrecognisable 18 months after quitting the soap – but can YOU guess who it is?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk<\/p>\n

By JESSICA JANES, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 20:53 EDT, 8 August 2025 | Updated: 20:56 EDT, 8 August 2025 <\/p>\n

A former Emmerdale<\/a> star looked completely unrecognisable as he returned to Instagram on Thursday, sharing a slew of selfies with his followers.<\/p>\n

The actor, 19, who starred in the ITV<\/a> soap for 17 years, quit the show 18 months ago in a dramatic New Year’s storyline that saw his character brutally killed off.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, he looks worlds away from his soap days – having ditched his long blonde locks and hit the gym hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In one snap, the star went shirtless for a close-up selfie, showing off a brand-new cropped hairdo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In another, he flaunted his gym transformation with a mirror selfie taken after a gruelling workout session.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But do you recognise him?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A former Emmerdale star looked completely unrecognisable as he returned to Instagram on Thursday, sharing a slew of selfies with his followers<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The actor, 19, who starred in the ITV soap for 17 years,\u00a0looked worlds away from his soap days – having ditched his long blonde locks and hit the gym hard. But do you recognise him?\u00a0<\/p>\n

That’s right, it’s Sebastian Dowling!<\/p>\n

The actor\u00a0is best known for playing Heath Hope on Emmerdale from 2007 until his emotional exit, when his character died in a car crash that aired last year.<\/p>\n

Sebastian appeared on the soap alongside his twin sister Gabrielle Dowling, 18, who continues to play Heath’s twin, Cathy Hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The new Instagram post marks the first time the former soap star has shared an update on the platform since October last year – and fans were stunned by his transformation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One follower wrote: ‘Wow guy. All grown up and looking great. Still miss you on the show. Let us know what you up to now.’;\u00a0<\/p>\n

While another added: ‘Holy c***, mans become Hulk! Looking great bro.’<\/p>\n

‘Now this is what a ‘glow up’ looks like.’; ‘Wow you look awesome there Seb. Nice one there mate!’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sebastian’s final scenes aired on January 1 last year, when Heath was killed in a tragic car crash involving several village teens, including his sister Cathy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"That's <\/p>\n

That’s right, it’s Sebastian Dowling! (pictured with\u00a0his twin sister Gabrielle Dowling on the soap in 2023)<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The actor is best known for playing Heath Hope on Emmerdale from 2007 until his emotional exit, when his character died in a car crash that aired last year<\/p>\n

At first, Cathy was thought to be behind the wheel, but it was later revealed that it was actually her friend Angelica King (played by Rebecca Bakes) who had been driving.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Angelica was charged with death by dangerous driving and handed an eight-month custodial sentence in a secure children’s home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also exited the soap as part of the storyline, although there’s a chance she could return to the village once her sentence is served.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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