One of Hollyoaks biggest stars during its 1990s heyday looks unrecognisable, after giving up starring in shows herself to run an acting school.
Natasha Symms, 46, looks worlds away from her role as steamy brunette siren Kate Patrick, having transformed her look with a new blonde hairstyle.
At the height of her role in the soap, Natashas character Kate was embroiled in a steamy affair with Jeremy Edwards Kurt Benson
Natasha, who has also appeared in four episodes of Emmerdale, joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 1997, and quickly became known as maneater after her character enjoyed a series of sexy flings.
At the time, Natasha said she relished in her sexy performance, explaining: Im a bit of a femme fatale, as they call it. Ive managed to wreck about two marriages, one being the main married couple of the show.
One of Hollyoaks biggest stars during its 1990s heyday looks unrecognisable, after giving up starring in shows herself to run an acting school… can you guess who it is?
Its Natasha Symms, who starred as brunette siren Kate Patrick on the soap between 1997 and 1999, making her debut just two years after the show hit screens
Its a brilliant character. She unfortunately gets rather obsessed with the married men and she goes a bit nutty.
One such affair, brought an end to Kurts marriage to his wife Ruth, who was also Kates step-sister.
The pair were never close, and Kate swore revenge when she became part of Ruths family, dividing the nation with the dramatic storyline.
The story also landed a nomination in the Most Dramatic Storyline category at the Inside Soap Awards.
In a storyline that proved to be even more shocking, Kate was introduced to her twin brother Joe after years of separation, and the pair slowly developed romantic feelings for each other.
The siblings shared a kiss and, despite his best efforts, Joe was unable to control his feelings towards his sister.
Eventually Kate decided to move out of the village in 1999, as she struggled to deal with her brothers incestuous desires.
Natasha remained a firm favourites in the lads mags during her Hollyoaks heyday, and while she is still in the industry, she now runs an acting school.
At the height of her role in the soap, Natashas character Kate was embroiled in a steamy affair with Jeremy Edwards Kurt Benson
Viewers were also shocked when Natashas character Kate was involved in an incestuous romance with her brother Joe
Her school caters for all ages, and in a post on Facebook earlier this year, she offered first sessions for just £10.
Last week Hollyoaks kicked off their new major scheduling shake-up as it will go down from five to just three episodes per week.
Its set to take a year-long time jump, with 20 cast members sadly being axed due to the ongoing Channel 4 cuts.
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The channel said that they were making the change because it is the optimum pattern to keep heartland audiences hooked and attract new ones in a highly saturated content market based on Channel 4 data.
They claim that their research shows that most regular soap viewers watch an average of three episodes per week.
MDs of Lime Pictures, Kate Little and Claire Poyser, said: Given the success of the new streaming-first model, we are delighted that Hollyoaks remains at the forefront of Channel 4s digital first strategy, bringing authentic, unexpected and untold stories that inspire younger audiences in a way that they want to consume them.
Evidently there are implications that will mean we have to reshape Hollyoaks production model and amidst the buoying news for the future of the show and its audience, we must also acknowledge that a reduction in cast and crew, will be very difficult and we will support everyone in that process.
The budget cuts have forced Channel 4 bosses to carry out a mass axing of cast and crew.
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