A soap star looked unrecognizable as he shaved off his famous locks to undergo a hair transplant on Thursday.
The actor was seen sitting in a styling chair in Istanbul, Turkey, his newly bald head in full display, with a surgical marker on his scalp.
Since starring in his most famous role, this actor has previously made a name for himself in the West End and has also toured with his own band – but can you guess who it is?
Guess who? A soap star looked unrecognizable as he shaved off his famous locks to undergo a hair transplant on Thursday
That’s correct! It’s Lee Mead from Casualty. The 41-year-old actor is best known for his role as Ben “Lofty” Chiltern on the medical drama and its spin-off series, Holby City.
Since Lee starred in the series, he has played Billy Flynn in Chicago and the stage show went on a UK national tour.
In the photos shared to his Instagram, Lee wore a barber dress and smiled sheepishly while his long locks were shaved off.
Hair of Istanbul Clinic offers “microsurgery” to anyone “between the ages of 18 and 60 who suffers from hair loss for any reason”.
On screen: Right! It’s Casualty’s Lee Mead, best known for his role as Ben “Lofty” Chiltern on the medical drama
Path! In the photos shared to his Instagram, Lee wore a barber’s dress and smiled sheepishly while his long locks were shaved off (He’s pictured at right in June 2022).
The prices for the procedure at the clinic are not known, but their website states that it depends on the amount of hair follicles transplanted.
The NHS states that hair transplants in the UK can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £30,000.
It comes after Lee opened up about how he didn’t make a dime in 2020 after his job opportunities were thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic.
New look: Since Lee starred in the series, he has played Billy Flynn in Chicago and the stage show went on a national UK tour
Treatment: The Hair of Istanbul clinic offers the “microsurgery” to anyone “between the ages of 18 and 60 who has experienced hair loss for any reason” (Lee pictured in 2018).
The actor revealed he had theater and cruise ship work planned for the year, but everything was canceled due to the global crisis that hit in March.
The West End star admitted to the Sun that he regretted leaving Holby three months before the outbreak of Covid-19 because it would provide him with a steady income.
He told the publication at the time: “It’s been a tough year financially as everything has been withdrawn including a tour, cruises and corporate work, so I’ve literally had no financial income the whole year and I’ve pretty much lived on savings.
Soap: It comes after the West End star admitted to the Sun he regretted leaving Holby three months before the outbreak of Covid-19 because it would give him a steady income
Disaster: Lee shared how he didn’t make a dime in 2020 after his job opportunities were thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic (on stage at the Lee Mead Caberet Jazz Brunch in December 2020)
He added: “It’s been very stressful, I won’t lie, but my family and partner Izzy have been amazing support.
“They picked me up and helped me with that. I don’t want to sound ungrateful as we are healthy and safe and I managed to keep my home.
The entertainer admitted he has friends in “less fortunate” positions and has lost their homes and is now living with relatives to support them.
The star, spotted on BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, saw the positives of the situation and admitted it has allowed him to spend quality time with partner Izzy, daughter Betsy and stepson Alfie.
Ex: He was previously married to Denise van Outen from 2009 until their separation in 2015, they share a daughter Betsy who was born in 2010 (pictured together in 2013).
New boyfriend: The actor was dating his new girlfriend, Izzy
Lee has spent the last five years of his career playing Ben Chiltern on Casualty and most recently Holby City. He admitted that he thought he had done everything he could with the character
He said: “I’ve had some amazing storylines and done some great stuff so it felt natural to go ahead but I’ve had a little regret because the plan was to do a tour this year, work a lot, concerts performing and singing live again and then in March lockdown came along so I literally couldn’t do any of the shows.
Despite his difficult year, things seem to be on the up for Lee, who has just released a Christmas single – In My Arms for Christmas – and is taking part in a pantomime.
Lee, who shares Betsy, 10, with his ex-wife Denise van Outen, spent Christmas Day this year with Izzy, Betsy and their son Alfie.
Love: The star, spotted on BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, saw the positives of the situation and admitted it has allowed her to spend quality time with partner Izzy (pictured), daughter Betsy and stepson Alfie could