Sam Atwell is best known for his role on Home and Away as ‘bad boy’ Kane Phillips.
However, in recent photos shared to his Instagram, the actor, now 41, is completely unrecognisable.
The clean-shaven youngster, who formerly had a full head of hair, now has a bald head and a thick, overgrown beard.
According to Yahoo, Sam packed his belongings and is exploring fresh possibilities in Ireland, years after starring on Australian television.
Sam made a comeback in the Irish soap series Fair City, with a more gruff appearance.
Sam is said to have grown out his bushy beard in order to play Barbie Man.
Fans of Home and Away will recall Sam as Kane, the evil character he played from 2001 until 2009.
For the past six years, Sam has mainly moved away from performing to focus on directing and managing screenplays, according to The Irish Sun.
Just before Christmas, Sam made his debut in the Fair City holiday special.
‘I believe it was full throttle fun this year – as much fun and as much heart as we could put into the concert,’ he added.
‘I think my character, at least, falls into the entertaining category.’ [Barbie Man] is a barbeque cook from Australia who wears a cowboy hat.’
Sam also discussed his experience on Home and Away with The Irish Sun.
‘It was a fantastic show to work on… It’s incredible because I’ve been on the receiving end of [the cameras], and now you’re forced into the spotlight.’
Kane was a part in one of the show’s most contentious plotlines.
In a scene that aired in 2001, the party guy character assaulted high school girl Dani (Tammin Sursok) in her family’s home.
Dani’s sister Kirsty (Christie Hayes) married Kane two years later in a twisted narrative that would cause uproar today.
