EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt almost unrecognisable from Ian Beale as he shows off huge new white beard

EASTENDERS legend Adam Woodyatt looked almost unrecognisable as he stepped out to the shops with a huge white beard.

The 54-year-old actor is best known for starring as Ian Beale in EastEnders but looked worlds away from his iconic character in the new snaps.

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Dressed down in dark clothes, Adam covered up slightly with a black beanie hat.

But the new addition of his vibrant facial hair was a far cry from the person soap fans have watched on their screens for more than 35 years.

Adam appeared in good spirits as he ran errands with a pal in Manchester, where he is starring in musical My Fair Lady.

And it seems he’s got the taste for stage acting as it was recently reported that Adam is eyeing up a role in 2:22 A Ghost Story, which currently features Cheryl and his former EastEnders colleague Jake Wood.

A show insider admitted that the actor would be quite the coup for bosses to secure.

They told The Mirror: “Adam really fancies another stage play. He’s loved treading the boards with My Fair Lady, which ends in April, and 2:22 Ghost Story is a potential fit.”

Adam starred in EastEnders from the inception of the long-running soap in February 1985.

After playing the character of Ian Beale for 36 years, the door has been left for him to make a return.

BBC

Adam played Ian Beale for more than 35 years[/caption]