Coronation Street star looks UNRECOGNISABLE after revealing new lockdown makeover

Coronation Street
(Image credit: ITV)

Actor Charlie De Melo has been trying out a new look in lockdown...

Coronation Street fans have been left stunned by actor Charlie De Melo's hair transformation that has left him looking worlds away from his on-screen character, Imran Habeeb.

The actor, who has played the cobbles solicitor since 2017, shared a picture on his social media of him out for a walk with his pet dog during lockdown.

Imran maintains his innocence

Charlie plays Coronation Street's Imran Habeeb (Picture ITV)

Along with the picture of him enjoying some fresh air as part of his allocated exercise for the day, Charlie was seen sporting a fresh new look.

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It seems the cobbles favourite has resorted in giving himself a hair cut while barbers are closed across the country thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

A photo posted by on

While Charlie's new look is very different to his usual luscious locks, fans and stars alike were quick to praise the actor on his makeover.

Charlie's former Coronation Street colleague Lucy Fallon, better known to soap fans as Bethany Platt, joked about the picture with: "Sorry, but that isn't you. Imposter x."

While another former Coronation Street actor, Ryan Clayton, who played David Platt's evil rapist, Josh Tucker, commented on Charlie's close shave with: "Gonna be Corrie's answer to Phil Mitchell when you go back."

Imran feels Awkward

Charlie usually sports much longer locks (Picture ITV)

Fans also heaped praise on the star, telling him how much they loved his transformation.

It seems Charlie will have plenty of time to grow his hair back for when production starts again at Coronation Street, because filming of the soap has been halted for the foreseeable future while the nation is in lockdown.

As a precaution, Coronation Street scheduling, along with all our other favourite soaps, has been reduced considerably so that fans can continue to enjoy them on screen for as long as possible.

Coronation Street’s scheduling pattern has changed due to the coronavirus pandemic and now airs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.