Peaky Blinders fans go wild as Joe Cole makes debut in new ITV spy thriller The Ipcress File

PEAKY Blinders fans have gone crazy after spotting one of its former stars Joe Cole in The Ipcress File.

Joe is best known for his role as John Shelby in the Peaky Blinders - and viewers watching ITV's latest drama this evening were quick to notice the star.

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The 33-year-old played the younger brother of the infamous Tommy Shelby - portrayed by Cillian Murphy - in the Birmingham-based drama.

Focusing on the famous family's reign following World War I in 1918, the crime fiction series soared to fame over the years.

As for Joe, he and revealed that the BBC drama is "Cillian's show" and because he "never go out of the gates".

He revealed at the time: “I actually chose to leave Peaky Blinders because I wanted to explore new avenues, and new characters and new stories.”

And Joe did explore a new avenue after he made his eagerly awaited debut as Harry Palmer on Sunday night.

Fans of his were overjoyed to see him return to their screens, too, with many applauding the new show.

Alongside an emoji of a heart, one person penned: "Watching The Ipcress File and I’m pretty sure Joe Cole looks younger than he did in Peaky Blinders. He’s clearly discovered the fountain of youth."

Echoing their comments, someone else said: "Well, I enjoyed The Ipcress File, plus Joe Cole is fabulous - just like he was in Peaky Blinders."

While a third added: "ITV done Joe Cole dirty by putting his show on at the same time as Peaky Blinders."

Five years after leaving Peaky Blinders, Joe said he still has no regrets.

"In society we're told to play by the rules and live your life in a certain way," he told .

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"For me, it was a no-brainer. I was missing out on some stuff, and I felt like I had exhausted this character.

"People used to come up to me and go, 'You're that bloke from Peaky Blinders,' but I'm thinking, 'My best work is in other stuff.' There's more to me than this."

The Ipcress File will return at 9pm on ITV next Sunday, March 13.

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