Big Brother star Jason Cowan looks unrecognisable 17 years after his TV debut

BIG Brother's Jason Cowan shocked the nation when he entered the house wearing just a bow tie and tiny leopard-print Speedos 17 years ago.

The 48-year-old Scottish former air steward was crowned runner-up of the fifth series of the iconic reality show in 2004.

Jason, who was 31 at the time, received just 26 per cent of the public vote, with fellow finalist Nadia Almada scooping the other 74 per cent to take the title.

After the show, he used his winnings to travel around Spain and India.

He then returned home to Scotland and started working as a personal trainer.

But in 2011, Jason was charged over allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Argyll.

He was charged with attacking the 36-year-old woman as she slept in his chalet at the Drimsynie Estate in December 2011.

The former body-builder was then cleared of the charge after a three-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

After the verdict, he said: "I am glad it is over and that I can now get back on with my life."

But the Scotsman looks very different now than he did when he first hit our TV screens.

Jason has since ditched the blond locks for a shaved head - and is notably much more conservative with his wardrobe choices.

When he first entered the House, he quickly established himself as a wild housemate.

He as being most like Peter Stringfellow, because "of the the amount of women he's slept with".

He also famously said his party trick was stripping after a few drinks, and recalled his biggest claim to fame before entering the House as winning "Mr Lanarkshire Best Buttocks" in 1996.

Recently we told how Scots star Cameron Stout looks unrecognisable from when stole the nation's hearts when he entered the Big Brother house 18 years ago.

The Orkney local, now 50, won the fourth series of iconic reality show in 2003 aged 32.