Emmerdale’s Joshua Richards looks unrecognisable from Bear in forgotten TV role before soap fame

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STRICT EMBARGO Print media - No Use Before Tuesday 6th August 2019 Online Media - No Use Before 0700hrs Tuesday 6th August 2019 Emmerdale - Ep 8568 Thursday 15th August 2019 - 2nd Ep Bear Wolf [JOSHUA RICHARDS] is mortified when Faith Dingle [SALLY DEXTER] reveals how he’s illiterate in order to protect her own secret of kissing Zak Dingle [STEVE HALLIWELL]. Picture contact - [email protected] Photographer - Amy Brammall This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

EMMERDALE actor Joshua Richards looks completely different in an unearthed snap from one of his early TV roles.

The actor is most known for playing Bear Wolf on the ITV soap opera, having arrived back in 2019.

Bear actor Joshua Richards looked worlds away from his current self in a throwback photo

He appeared in the 90 TV series, Heartbeat

He joined the Dales as the secret father of Paddy Kirk and was able to reconnect with his son and form a close bond with him.

Ever since, Bear has been a mainstay in the village, even taking up residence at the iconic Woolpack with son Paddy and his wife at the time, Chas.

He has also been a rock to Paddy throughout his current mental health battle.

However, Emmerdale was certainly not Joshua’s first brush with fame and fans have now uncovered one of his earliest TV appearances.

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed the actor looking totally different as he appeared in a supporting role in popular 1990s TV show, Heartbeat.

He appeared as the character of DI Haggarty for a number of months.

Racing to comment on the discovery, one fan said: “I’m just watching Heartbeat and I’m sure this must be Bear from Emmerdale.”

They attached a photo where Bear actor Joshua looked much younger as he sported a cleaner look and went without his trademark beard that fans have been so accustomed too.

Other fans were also quick to comment on the discovery, with one saying: “It must be, he was just a Cub back then.”

Another added: “Knew I’d seen him somewhere before Emmerdale.”

With a third agreeing, writing: “I thought the same thing.”

They aren’t only the two shows that Joshua has appeared in as he has also made a name for himself in Hollywood.

In 2004, he also appeared in the US blockbuster Troy.

Not only that, Joshua also held a role alongside Hugh Grant in the Amazon Prime series A Very English Scandal.

Fans are used to watching him as Bear Wolf