Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan reveals transformation for new West End role
He rose to fame on Popstars in 2001
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 29th Aug 2019
Remember Hear'Say? They were all anyone could talk about in 2001 - after the members won their place in the band through reality show Popstars, Noel Sullivan, Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh and Suzanne Shaw were seriously popular.
Although Hear'Say didn't exactly last long, the band went on to do big things on their own - especially Kym, who became a fan-favourite on Coronation Street as Michelle Connor.
Noel has also had an incredibly successful career, focusing more on theatre and the West End and starring in plenty of shows like Grease, Fame and We Will Rock You - and now he's turning his attention to School of Rock.
And in an appearance on This Morning today, Noel revealed that he'd put on two stone for the role, telling Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes why it was important for him to do that, "In the script there’s a lot of talk about the teacher being fat. You can’t do it with a fat suit, it would look really weird. It’s live and you are right there. It’s a very physical show."
When asked whether he'd be losing the weight after finishing his run in the show, Noel said, "We will worry about it then. In the meantime it’s pizza and pasta for me!"
Of stepping into Jack Black's shoes - who made the role famous in the 2003 film - Noel said, "It’s a tough one. People know the film, it’s an amazing part to play. The kids are the draw really. They are playing live every single show. They are 9 years old!
"We have three teams of 12 kids. Some of them have never been on stage before, they are amazing musicians, you watch them grow and become amazing performers."
Swipe through to see the most amazing celebrity transformations of all time...
Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan reveals transformation for new West End role
2 of 33
Jonathan Tapper, now
But with the help of a diet plan, Jonathan was able to lose a whopping three stone in just 12 weeks, and six inches off his waist!
Swipe through to see the most amazing celebrity transformations of all time...
Little Mix, then
Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall looked very young in 2011 after winning The X Factor. To be fair, they were all teenagers at the time!
Little Mix, now
Now the biggest girl band on the planet, the girls look fantastic!
Calvin Harris, then
Scottish DJ Calvin Harris pictured here in 2009. Sorry Calvin, but we're not sure that look would be Acceptable In The 80s - OR now.
Calvin Harris, now
The 'One Kiss' hit-maker transformed into an A-list hunk, and has dated the likes of Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. Twit twoo!
Cheryl, then
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was just a fresh-faced teenager when she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
Cheryl, now
She's now an on-trend and super-glamorous mum-of-one, even walking the red carpet at a London Fashion Week show.
Justin Bieber, then
Little Justin Bieber was just a Baby when he burst onto the scene in 2009...
Justin Bieber, now
These days, he's of course grown up - but he looks pretty much the same! Apart from the fact that he no longer has the signature Bieber hairstyle, of course.
Rihanna, then
A young Rihanna in 2005...
Rihanna, now
The still cheeky Fenty grin is still there, and Rihanna continues to defy the aging process.
Matthew Lewis, then
Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis starred in the film series as Neville Longbottom from 2001 to the last film in 2011, here pictured in 2004 at the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban premiere.
Matthew Lewis, now
Matthew grew up into such a good-looking chap that the makeup department on the Potter films had to try and make him less attractive in the later films, even spawning the phrase 'Longbottomed'.
Miley Cyrus, then
Miley Cyrus in her Hannah Montana days...
Miley Cyrus, now
She may have gone through various transformations, but Miley is still recognisable.
Gareth Gates, then
Pop Idol contestant Gareth Gates on the show back in 2001...
Gareth Gates, now
Here in 2017, he showing off his muscular physique alongside his girlfriend Faye Brookes.
Katy Perry, then
Katy Perry rocking long black hair in 2004...
Katy Perry, now
And showing off her shorter, blonde pixie cut in 2017.
Chris Pratt, then
Jurassic Park actor Chris Pratt back in 2008...
Chris Pratt, now
Shed the pounds and now has a slimmer physique.
Kylie Jenner, then
A fresh faced Kylie Jenner in 2008...
Kylie Jenner, now
Now rocking a platinum blonde 'do at the age of 21 in November 2018.
Zac Efron, then
Zac Efron in his High School Musical days back in 2007...
Zac Efron
10 years later, he was looking incredibly dapper at the Australian premiere for The Greatest Showman in 2017 - even sporting a 'tache.
Justin Timberlake, then
JT rocking his epic tight curls with frosted tips back in 2000...
Justin Timberlake, now
He's so much more grown-up in September 2018 whilst performing in Las Vegas.
Johnny Vegas, then
TV personality Johnny Vegas, real name Michael Pennington, is well known for his larger frame.
Johnny Vegas, now
But in 2018, he revealed that he'd lost two stone.
Jack Ryder, then
Jack Ryder, AKA Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders, was a noughties heartthrob if ever there was one.
Jack Ryder, now
In 2018, Jack was announced to be joining Holby City - and look at him now!
Jonathan Tapper, then
Gogglebox's Jonathan Tapper was 21st 3lbs at his heaviest whilst appearing on the show with his family - wife Nikki, daughter Amy and son Josh.
Jonathan Tapper, now
But with the help of a diet plan, Jonathan was able to lose a whopping three stone in just 12 weeks, and six inches off his waist!
Swipe through to see the most amazing celebrity transformations of all time...
Little Mix, then
Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall looked very young in 2011 after winning The X Factor. To be fair, they were all teenagers at the time!
Little Mix, now
Now the biggest girl band on the planet, the girls look fantastic!
Calvin Harris, then
Scottish DJ Calvin Harris pictured here in 2009. Sorry Calvin, but we're not sure that look would be Acceptable In The 80s - OR now.
Calvin Harris, now
The 'One Kiss' hit-maker transformed into an A-list hunk, and has dated the likes of Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. Twit twoo!
Cheryl, then
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was just a fresh-faced teenager when she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
Cheryl, now
She's now an on-trend and super-glamorous mum-of-one, even walking the red carpet at a London Fashion Week show.
Justin Bieber, then
Little Justin Bieber was just a Baby when he burst onto the scene in 2009...
Justin Bieber, now
These days, he's of course grown up - but he looks pretty much the same! Apart from the fact that he no longer has the signature Bieber hairstyle, of course.
Rihanna, then
A young Rihanna in 2005...
Rihanna, now
The still cheeky Fenty grin is still there, and Rihanna continues to defy the aging process.
Matthew Lewis, then
Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis starred in the film series as Neville Longbottom from 2001 to the last film in 2011, here pictured in 2004 at the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban premiere.
Matthew Lewis, now
Matthew grew up into such a good-looking chap that the makeup department on the Potter films had to try and make him less attractive in the later films, even spawning the phrase 'Longbottomed'.
Miley Cyrus, then
Miley Cyrus in her Hannah Montana days...
Miley Cyrus, now
She may have gone through various transformations, but Miley is still recognisable.
Gareth Gates, then
Pop Idol contestant Gareth Gates on the show back in 2001...
Gareth Gates, now
Here in 2017, he showing off his muscular physique alongside his girlfriend Faye Brookes.
Katy Perry, then
Katy Perry rocking long black hair in 2004...
Katy Perry, now
And showing off her shorter, blonde pixie cut in 2017.
Chris Pratt, then
Jurassic Park actor Chris Pratt back in 2008...
Chris Pratt, now
Shed the pounds and now has a slimmer physique.
Kylie Jenner, then
A fresh faced Kylie Jenner in 2008...
Kylie Jenner, now
Now rocking a platinum blonde 'do at the age of 21 in November 2018.
Zac Efron, then
Zac Efron in his High School Musical days back in 2007...
Zac Efron
10 years later, he was looking incredibly dapper at the Australian premiere for The Greatest Showman in 2017 - even sporting a 'tache.
Justin Timberlake, then
JT rocking his epic tight curls with frosted tips back in 2000...
Justin Timberlake, now
He's so much more grown-up in September 2018 whilst performing in Las Vegas.
Johnny Vegas, then
TV personality Johnny Vegas, real name Michael Pennington, is well known for his larger frame.
Johnny Vegas, now
But in 2018, he revealed that he'd lost two stone.
Jack Ryder, then
Jack Ryder, AKA Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders, was a noughties heartthrob if ever there was one.
Jack Ryder, now
In 2018, Jack was announced to be joining Holby City - and look at him now!
Jonathan Tapper, then
Gogglebox's Jonathan Tapper was 21st 3lbs at his heaviest whilst appearing on the show with his family - wife Nikki, daughter Amy and son Josh.
Jonathan Tapper, now
But with the help of a diet plan, Jonathan was able to lose a whopping three stone in just 12 weeks, and six inches off his waist!
Of course, talk soon turned to Hear'Say, and how it impacted his life, "It was before the time of social media, we were just on everything. Every TV show, every radio show, you couldn’t pick up a paper without us being in there so because it was such an intense focused time, I think people think it was longer ago than it was."
He also revealed what he did after the band broke up, "I went back to Cardiff, I have amazing family and friends, and then I found my way into theatre, which was my first love. I think theatre stars work a lot harder.
"I’ve learnt a hell of a lot more about performing during my 15 years in the West End and on tours and the cast you get to work with are phenomenal talented and are doing it eight shows a week, not just three minutes."
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