Casualty star Jason Durr is unrecognisable in throwback snap
CASUALTY star Jason Durr is unrecognisable in a throwback snap to his early acting days.
The actor - who has played staff nurse David Hide in the BBC One drama since he joined the show in 2016 - posted the old photo to Instagram.
Jason, 54, looks considerably younger in the snap which appeared to be from his early 20s, as he donned a dapper suit for a photoshoot.
The star set a sultry stare towards the camera as he smouldered for the snap, wearing a white shirt, black trousers and polka-dot suspenders.
Jason's fans went wild over the snap, which the actor posted alongside a "throwback" hashtag on Tuesday afternoon.
"James Dean ain't got nothing on you," wrote one pal, as a second chimed in: "Jason, you are aging like a fine wine and cheese."
Jason rose to fame in 1997 when he was cast to play policeman and later detective Mike Bradley in the Yorkshire-based drama Heartbeat.
The actor left the show in 2003, and went on to star in a number of British dramas including Agatha Christie's Marple and Midsomer Murders.
He stepped back a little from the limelight in 2020 after he lost his mother to Covid-19 and sister-in-law to cancer - just four days apart.
Jason spoke about the double tragedy he faced as well as the admiration he has for the NHS shortly after the devastating losses.
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Talking about his heartbreaking loss during the pandemic, he said: "Lockdown and this whole coronavirus period has been incredibly challenging for so many families.
"I can completely understand what so many people have been going through.
"It’s been a very peculiar time in all our lives. But the support we had for my sister-in-law from the NHS nurses and doctors was incredible," he told The Mirror.
"My mum’s carers went above and beyond to help her through it. I think it makes you realise what’s important in life.
"You just need to be kind to people and understand what they might be going through.
"People are going through very difficult times with their families or losing someone, so it’s tough for everybody," Jason added, speaking from his home in the Cotswolds.
His role as nurse David Hide in Casualty, which he has played since 2016, has certainly made him realise and appreciate the pressures NHS staff face in real life.
"I might dress up as a nurse and put on my scrubs but my ultimate respect and thanks goes out to all those real nurses and doctors who have been doing such an incredible job on the front line," he said.
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Jason also revealed that filming for the BBC hospital drama will resume soon following the coronavirus crisis, and admitted he can't wait to get back to work.
He added: "We will be back as big, bold and brilliant as ever. We’re very much looking forward to donning our scrubs again."