Coronation Street’s evil Geoff Metcalfe actor looks unrecognisable in new Midsomer Murders alongside three soap legends
CORONATION Street’s evil Geoff Metcalfe actor Ian Bartholomew looked unrecognisable as he sported a scruffy beard on the latest episode of Midsomer Murders.
Ian portrayed the controlling Geoff on the ITV soap opera who terrorised his wife Yasmeen Nazir and former partner Elaine Jones.
The actor looked totally different as he took up his first major role since being killed off on the cobbles as he took centre stage during ITV’s newest Midsomer Murders episode.
He was playing the father of a girl, Tilly, murdered at the very beginning of the episode that had a twisted ritual connected to it.
Despite looking worlds apart from his time on the Street, Ian’s character Frank Mulrooney with a similar personality.
Being labelled as controlling over his daughter, it drew clear parallels with that of the evil Geoff.
Picking up on his appearance online, one viewer said: “When you’re trying to work out where you’ve seen the actor who’s playing Frank Mulroney then you realise he played Geoff Metcalfe in Coronation Street…”
As another mused: “Tilly’s dad has form for controlling behaviour, just ask Yasmeen.”
Ian wasn’t the only popular soap star to crop up on the show as one fan was left remarking: “It’s like a who’s who of people I recognise from somewhere on tonight’s Midsomer Murders.”
Three EastEnders legends also held major roles in the episode.
Colin Salmon, who has just joined the BBC soap as George Knight, took part in the episode as Gerard, as did Tracy Ann Oberman, famed for her role as Chrissie Watts.
Annette Badland also returned to the show in her role of Dr. Fleur Perkins, years on from her time as Albert Square icon Aunt Babe.
Elsewhere, Holly Willoughby made her acting debut in the star-studded episode.
The TV presenter made a brief cameo on the programme in a shock career move.