Emmerdale’s Joshua Richards looks unrecognisable from Bear in forgotten TV role before soap fame
EMMERDALE actor Joshua Richards looks completely different in an unearthed snap from one of his early TV roles.
The actor is most known for playing Bear Wolf on the ITV soap opera, having arrived back in 2019.
He joined the Dales as the secret father of Paddy Kirk and was able to reconnect with his son and form a close bond with him.
Ever since, Bear has been a mainstay in the village, even taking up residence at the iconic Woolpack with son Paddy and his wife at the time, Chas.
He has also been a rock to Paddy throughout his current mental health battle.
However, Emmerdale was certainly not Joshua’s first brush with fame and fans have now uncovered one of his earliest TV appearances.
Eagle-eyed viewers noticed the actor looking totally different as he appeared in a supporting role in popular 1990s TV show, Heartbeat.
He appeared as the character of DI Haggarty for a number of months.
Racing to comment on the discovery, one fan said: “I’m just watching Heartbeat and I’m sure this must be Bear from Emmerdale.”
They attached a photo where Bear actor Joshua looked much younger as he sported a cleaner look and went without his trademark beard that fans have been so accustomed too.
Other fans were also quick to comment on the discovery, with one saying: “It must be, he was just a Cub back then.”
Another added: “Knew I’d seen him somewhere before Emmerdale.”
With a third agreeing, writing: “I thought the same thing.”
They aren’t only the two shows that Joshua has appeared in as he has also made a name for himself in Hollywood.
In 2004, he also appeared in the US blockbuster Troy.
Not only that, Joshua also held a role alongside Hugh Grant in the Amazon Prime series A Very English Scandal.