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Ray Quinn looks unrecognisable in X Factor throwback from 2006

Ray has been reminiscing about his time on The X Factor

Author: Alex RossPublished 11th Jun 2020
Last updated 11th Jun 2020

If you cast your minds all the way back to 2006, when Simon Cowell's The X Factor was everybody's highlight of a Saturday night-in, you'll remember a fresh-faced Ray Quinn standing in front of the judges with his cheeky persona.

Now, a massive 14-years on, Ray has gone on to release albums, appear in shows like Hollyoaks and perform in stage shows, but by the looks of it he's not forgotten about his early X Factor days!

Sharing a super cute throwback photo of himself auditioning for The X Factor, Ray told his social media followers, '#TBT Who remembers this then? My @thexfactor audition back in 2006- amazing memories!'. (sic)

Fans of the Scouse singer were quick to comment on his post, one fan wrote, 'How could I ever forget 😭', with another adding, 'I do!!! And I said “i’m sure he was in brookeside” and I voted for you from day one! 💕💕💕'. (sic)

Another wrote, 'I remember this so well! I was doing tap dancing then and they changed the soundtrack to yours after for our warm up to ain’t that a kick in the head'. (sic)

Ray, now 31-years-old, appeared as right wing extremist Jonny Baxter in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks last year, before announcing he was set to release a brand new album called 'Undeniable'.

However, due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, Ray announced earlier this week that his album has been put back until the 28th August.

Check out the biggest celebrity transformations below:

Then: Little Mix

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!

Now: Little Mix

Now the biggest girl band on the planet, the girls look fantastic all grown up. They even have their own clothing range with PrettyLittleThing.

Then: Calvin Harris

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.

Now: Calvin Harris

The 'One Kiss' hit-maker transformed into an A-list hunk, and has dated the likes of Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. Twit twoo!

Then: Cheryl

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was just a fresh-faced teenager when she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

Now: Cheryl

She's now an on-trend and super-glamorous mum-of-one, even walking the red carpet at a London Fashion Week show.

Then: Justin Bieber

Little Justin Bieber was just a Baby when he burst onto the scene in 2009...

Now: Justin BIeber

Justin is now all grown up and married to model Hailey Bieber!

Then: Jack Ryder

Jack Ryder, AKA Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders, was a noughties heartthrob if ever there was one.

Now: Jack Ryder

When Jack was announced to be joining the cast of Holby City in 2018, fans were left in shock at how different he looked!

Then: Rihanna

A young Rihanna in 2005...

Now: Rihanna

The still cheeky Fenty grin is still there, and Rihanna continues to defy the aging process.

Then: Matthew Lewis

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.

Now: Matthew Lewis

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'.

Then: Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus in her Hannah Montana days...

Now: Miley Cyrus

She may have gone through various transformations over the years, but Miley is still recognisable to her fans!

Then: Katy Perry

Katy Perry rocking long black hair in 2004...

Now: Katy Perry

Despite having a blonde pixie cut in 2017/18, Katy has now decided to grow her hair, looking stunning!

Then: Kylie Jenner

A fresh faced Kylie Jenner in 2008...

Now: Kylie Jenner

The mum-of-one changes up her look practically every month, but she always oozes glamour.

Then: Zac Efron

Zac Efron in his High School Musical days back in 2007...

Now: Zac Efron

More than a decade later, he was looking incredibly dapper at the Australian premiere for The Greatest Showman, even sporting a 'tache.

Then: Justin Timberlake

JT rocking his epic tight curls with frosted tips back in 2000...

Now: Justin Timberlake

The popular singer is now much more grown-up, rocking a smart hairstyle.

Then: Olly Murs

Cheeky chap Olly Murs during his time on The X Factor back in 2009.

Now: Olly Murs

Olly shocked fans in October 2019 when he rocked up to The Voice UK premiere with ice-blond hair!

Then: Simon Cowell

Music mogul Simon Cowell at the start of his career in 2002.

Now: Simon Cowell

After turning vegan in 2019, Simon lost a massive 20lbs, showing off his new look on America's Got Talent.

Then: Amber Gill

Geordie girl Amber Gill embraced her natural curly locks as she hit our TV screens in the Love Island villa in 2019.

Now: Amber Gill

Just months after, Amber looked more or less unrecognisable as she attended the launch night of her clothing collaboration with MissPap.

Then: Sharon Osbourne

Sharon has rocked her iconic red bob haircut for the last 20 years, but recently she decided to stop dying her locks every week.

Now: Sharon Osbourne

Embracing her natural white hair, Sharon looks amazing!

Then: McFly

McFly started out in 2003, releasing this debut song '5 Colours in Her Hair' in 2004.

Now: McFly

McFly have made a comeback after a few years away from music, with a new album and single.

Then: Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue started out on Australian soap Neighbours, before leaving to become a very successful singer.

Now: Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue has returned with a fantastic song 'Say Something' which is going back to her disco roots. The singer is also set to release a new album in November.

Then: Sean Paul

Sean Paul started out in 1994, releasing his debut album 'Stage One' in 2000. However, it was with the released of 'Gimme the Light' that he first had success in the UK reaching Number 5.

Now: Sean Paul

In recent years Sean has featured on a number of successful songs namely, Clean Bandit's 'Rockabye'.

Meanwhile, Ray proposed to his girlfriend Emily Ashleigh over the New Year's celebrations at the beginning of 2020.

Sharing a cute snap of Emily kissing the side of his head whilst showing off her ring, Ray wrote, 'Welcome to the family my Queen 💖 #shesaidyes 💍 🥰'. (sic)

Although Ray has no children with Emily, the actor is a dad to eight-year-old Harry Frank Quinn, after his ex-wife Emma Stephens gave birth in 2012.

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