X Factor’s Tesco Mary unrecognisable 13 years after show success and six stone weight loss
X FACTOR star Mary Byrne looks completely unrecognisable 13 years after starring on the hit ITV show.
Mary, who was dubbed “Tesco Mary” by adoring fans due to her former role as a supermarket checkout worker, has re-vamped her look after losing six stone.
Mary, now 63, wowed Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl and stand-in judge Katy Perry with her rendition of I Who Have Nothing by Tom Jones when she auditioned for the show back in 2010.
She was known for her brunette locks – which she often styled into a high ponytail and rocked a poker-straight fringe in the reality series.
Fast forward over a decade later and Mary has completely re-vamped her look.
Gone are her dark locks in favour of an eye-catching ash blonde style.
Mary has kept her signature fringe, albeit swept to one side, yet has chopped off her lengthy locks in favour of a shorter style.
The talented singer is still appearing on stage and entertaining her loyal fans.
She previously performed in Menopause: The Musical alongside Linda Nolan.
Additionally, Mary has starred on Mediterranean cruises with Cliff Richard.
Since losing out on the X Factor title, the much-loved telly star has gone on to release three albums, an autobiography and is currently working on a new album of 60s hits.
Speaking about life since the reality show which saw her rise to fame in the UK and Ireland, Mary has previously admitted she suffered from depression.
She told RSVP magazine: “Suffering from depression is very serious and getting that feeling of dread and panic can have a serious knock on affect in your life.
“When you go through those dark moments, you either grow from them or you just lie down and die. I couldn’t lie down and die because there is too much spirit in me.
“I don’t see depression as a weakness, I see it as a challenge to prove to myself that I am a strong woman and I can get through this. That is what life should be about.”
While she pursued her dream of becoming a singer, Mary said she sometimes misses working with her pals at Tesco.
She previously said: “I work mainly at nights and there are times, especially during the day, that I really miss being on the tills.
“I miss the camaraderie and the friends and chatting to the customers and the craic we used to have.”
The Irish singer proudly revealed how she lost “half a person in weight”, with the positive impact on her mental health also meaning that she no longer needs anti-depressants.