Emmerdale’s Mike Parr looks unrecognisable four years after leaving the soap

EMMERDALE icon Mike Parr looks completely different since leaving the soap in 2018.

The actor, 35, who played Ross Barton on the ITV soap posed for a dramatic topless selfie, staring intensely into the camera and comparing himself to boxer Paul Sykes.

Mike captioned the Instagram post: "Paul Sykes vibes.";

His followers were shocked at his transformation and it's not clear if he used an app to change his features or is wearing makeup for a role, but many admitted they "still would."

"Still look hot 🔥," wrote one fan.

The Barton family was one of Emmerdale’s most popular with fans but years of dramatic storylines has seen them decimated, with only matriarch Moira left and her sons, Isaac and Matty.

Ross Barton began life on Emmerdale as a villain - but quickly became a fan favourite and was mostly redeemed.

Mike revealed how he had wanted to leave Emmerdale originally a year before he did but was convinced into staying by the acid attack plot.

The controversial storyline saw him fall in love with recently brain-injured multi-millionaire heiress Rebecca White after her family were killed in a car crash by her serial killer nephew Lachlan White.

After quitting Mike used his dual nationality to move to America in an attempt to crack Hollywood.

He has worked on short film The Eighty Fourth, drama Bulletproof, Mister Mayfair and Our Home.

Most recently he joked that he was considering becoming a porn star after an adult entertainment company offered him a lucrative contract.

Mike lost a recent role in a drama to his former onscreen brother Anthony Quinlan.

He and Anthony, 37, played warring brothers Ross and Pete Barton, but have remained best mates off screen since leaving the hit ITV soap.

So when Mike told Anthony he’d been to an audition for BBC drama London Kills, Anthony decided to try his luck and went for the same part.

And sadly for Mike it was Anthony who bosses signed up for the role.

Anthony said: “I’ve just done a little job down in London for the BBC and Acorn TV called London Kills.

While Mike was quick to jump in, saying: “I also auditioned for it, but didn’t get it. And yes it was for the same part. I actually told him about the audition.”

Anthony added: ”That’s the thing, we go up against each other for a few things. But I’d rather he get it than someone else.

“We always give each other a little leg up if we are audition for something. And like I say I’d rather he get it than someone else.”

Mike said: “That’s easy for you to say! you got the part.”