CORONATION Street fans were left open-mouthed at Norris Cole actor Malcolm Hebden’s dramatic transformation.
The star was seen in his younger years during Coronation Street Icons on Monday night ahead of his departure from the long-running soap.
Malcolm, 81, left fans in shock as he was seen looking much younger during his first appearance on Corrie – starring as Spanish character Carlos.
Appearing in ten episodes of the ITV show, the waiter was a love interest of Mavis Riley – trying to tie the knot with her to get a VISA.
Sadly for Carlos, things didn’t go his way when she found out she was being used and Mavis was left hurt and distrustful of the Spanish character.
Fans were stunned as the old character appeared on screen as Malcolm was seen with longer, dark hair and feigning a Spanish accent.
Without his signature round glasses synonymous with current character Norris Cole, viewers took to Twitter to share their shock.
“Looks so different to his character as Norris,” one wrote, as a second agreed: “Oh wow, he is very different from Norris!”
A third echoed: “Malcolm Hebden looked well back in the day!” as a fourth wrote: “So weird Malcolm was in Corrie years before he was Norris Cole.”
“I had no idea Malcolm Hebden was Mavis’ Carlos and the actor metamorphosed into Norris!” another concluded with a shocked emoji.
Later in the Icons episode, Patti Clare, who plays Mary Taylor in the soap, was seen getting emotional as she discussed her relationship with Malcolm.
She spoke of how Malcolm “died” in A&E when he suffered a devastating heart attack in 2019 – leaving her fearing for his life.
It was after the tragic event that Malcolm decided it was time to wave goodbye to the Cobbles, only making a brief return this year.
Getting emotional, Patti said: “I don’t think he’s aware of how much he’s loved”, adding how the pair are “best friends” both on and off screen.
Barbara Knox, who plays Norris’ on-screen pal Rita Sullivan, also teared up as she spoke on how much she “loved” working alongside him.
It comes as Norris will be killed off of the soap – leaving viewers totally heartbroken as his funeral scenes are set to air this week.
Coronation Street has killed off fan-favourite Norris following actor Malcolm Hebden’s exit from the show after 27 years.
The Corrie legend, who was a mainstay of The Kabin and the Street for many years, made his first appearance in 1994.
Soap bosses have confirmed that Norris will die in upcoming scenes after suffering a stroke.
Spoilers have revealed that Rita is worried sick when Freda Burgess (Ali Briggs) calls to tell her that Norris is in hospital after falling to the floor.
Rita and Mary rush to the hospital but, when they arrive, they’re told they’re too late and that Norris has already died.
Coronation Street continues on Wednesday at 7:30pm on ITV.
