Duncan James, the well-known member of the boy band Blue, left viewers astonished with his transformation during Monday’s episode of Celebrity MasterChef.
The 43-year-old singer, who has also ventured into acting, had previously admitted concerns about facing online criticism due to his weight gain and recent Botox treatments before joining the show.
Gone were his signature blond highlights from his music career’s heyday, and in their place, a neatly trimmed beard. Many fans found it challenging to identify the pop icon with his revamped appearance.
‘Had to Google to confirm it was him!’ Blue’s Duncan James, 43, looked unrecognisable as he appeared on Celebrity MasterChef on Monday (right, pictured in 2003)
Viewers quickly took to Twitter to express their surprise, with one user commenting, “Is anyone else struggling to recognize Duncan James on @MasterChefUK tonight?”
Another viewer remarked, “I had to do a double-take when I saw Duncan James on MasterChef. I’m not sure what changes he’s made, but he definitely looks different.”
One fan humorously noted, “Catching up with MasterChef. I had to double-check on Google to confirm that was indeed Duncan James.”
Blue – which also featured Antony Costa, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe – formed in 2000, with all four members quickly becoming household names.
Unrecognisable: On Monday night’s episode many viewers had to do a double take to figure out who he was, because his appearance has changed that much
The comments come after Duncan assumed he would be trolled over his change in looks, ahead of his appearance on the programme.
Speaking on Friday’s Good Morning Britain, he insisted that ‘something has to change’ as he detailed the online abuse he’s received and called for social media to have stricter verification processes before people can create accounts.
He admitted: ‘It’s terrible actually. Probably after MasterChef I’m gonna get a load of abuse because I had a bit more weight on there, and had a bit of Botox before I went in…’
Shocked: Fans were left baffled by Duncan’s new look, with one even having to Google the star to confirm it was still in
While pinching between his eyebrows, the actor added: ‘So I have got a bit of the old eyebrow thing going on because it hadn’t settled.
‘So one thing I’ve learned is, never go on national television with fresh Botox!’
Duncan asserted: ‘Online trolling is disgusting. Personally I believe that verification is needed [to have a social media account].
‘If you are going to say something you’ll have to own what you say… If you went on television and say it you’d get crucified – something has to change!
‘I have daughter who’s 16 and she’s had trolling in her life, it’s not nice for anybody.’
In a more upbeat part of the conversation, Duncan touched upon the idea of a Blue reunion for their 20th anniversary, which he’s still hopeful for.
Premonition: The comments come after Duncan assumed he would be trolled over his change in looks, ahead of his appearance on the programme
He said: ‘It’s been a really weird year, well it has for everyone, but for Blue especially. We had our 20th anniversary in May, but we obviously couldn’t celebrate.
‘Lee lives in Spain at the moment and has just had a baby, Simon has had a baby, there’s a bit of a baby bloom in Blue at the moment.
‘Just trying to get us all together has been literally impossible, unfortunately so we’ll just have to see what happens.
‘Covid has put dampener on everything. Hopefully it [a Blue reunion] will happen, we’ll just have to see.’
Awful! The Blue singer insisted ‘something has to change’ as he detailed the online abuse he’s suffered and called for social media to have stricter verification processes (Pictured in September 2019)
