David Leon, best known for his role as DI Joe Ashworth in Vera, sported a very different look when he first embarked on his acting career in a BBC drama. When Vera debuted in 2011, DCI Vera Stanhope (portrayed by Brenda Blethyn) was accompanied from the outset by her crime-solving partner Joe Ashworth (David Leon).
However, it was during the fourth season that the now 44 year old actor decided to bid farewell to the ITV drama, paving the way for DS Aiden Healy star Kenny Doughty to join the cast. Leon made a comeback to Vera in the 13th season last year following Aiden's exit, appearing in the final two episodes of the series which concluded earlier this month.
But long before his stint in the award-winning series, Leon had a starring role in another drama where he looked completely different. In 2004, Leon landed his first major role as coffee shop manager Troy Gillespie in the BBC series Cutting It. While DI Joe Ashworth is known for his slicked-back hair, full beard and suit attire, Leon's character Troy in Cutting It sported longer, wavier hair and minimal facial hair.
Troy often opted for a more casual look, donning hoodies with jeans and trainers, although he did smarten up with a jacket and shirt for a scene where he played guitar in the street. Leon shared the screen in Cutting It with several recognisable faces, including Sarah Parish from Bancroft, Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden, and Angela Griffin from Waterloo Road.
