He finished in second place behind Leona Lewis on the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
But swing singer Ray Quinn, 33, quit his life of fame to become a labourer when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020.
And he now looks unrecognisable having grown out his hair and inked his arms with tattoo sleeves.
On a new path: Ray Quinn, 33, looks unrecognisable after quitting his life of fame to become a labourer when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020
In a picture posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Ray could be seen sitting at a table while out for dinner.
His curly brown hair finished just above his shoulders while his body art was visible as he sat with his elbows on the table.
With sparkling fairy lights twinkling behind him, he captioned the snap: ‘Hope everyone had a boss Christmas!’
Hitmaker: Ray made UK music history after finishing second on The X Factor in 2006 by becoming the youngest male star to reach the top of the album chart without releasing a single
Ray made British music history after competing on The X Factor by becoming the youngest male artist to reach the top spot of the UK album chart without releasing a single.
He went on to have a successful jazz career and also appeared in many musical productions and plays throughout the UK.
The performer went on to take part in Dancing On Ice in 2009 and the All Stars edition in 2014, winning both series.
New look: Ray has grown out his brown hair and now sports a full beard in a more manly look than his X Factor days
Work of art: The performer shows off his full tattoo sleeves on his arms in pictures on his social media pages
He later took on the role of right-wing extremist Jonny Baxter in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for one year between 2018 and 2019.
In his personal life, Ray married Emma Stephens in 2012 but they later divorced in 2015. They share son Harry together.
Ray, who resides in Liverpool, is now engaged to girlfriend Emily Ashleigh.
Glitterati: The pop star went on to appear on Dancing On Ice in 2009 and on the All Stars edition in 2014, winning both series (pictured with skater Alexandra Schauman)
Born to perform: Ray took on the role of right-wing extremist Jonny Baxter in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for one year between 2018 and 2019
Before the pandemic, the star was in the cast of a play at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre but, when he learned he would not receive government support when the production was cancelled, he took on a job as a Hermes delivery driver.
However, he now works as a carpet fitter in the family business with brothers Darren and Robin after losing his father to cancer in November last year.
He previously told OK! magazine: ‘My dad was a carpet fitter all his life. He taught my brothers how to do it.
‘When I first started, I actually went to work in my dad’s old uniform. He’d always said you can work your way out of anything; to keep your head up high – and that’s what I’ve done.’
Happy couple: Ray, who resides in Liverpool, is now engaged to girlfriend long-term Emily Ashleigh
