EASTENDERS’ Harry Mitchell star Elijah Holloway looked completely unrecognisable during a stint on a BBC talent show – eight years before setting foot in Walford.

Elijah Holloway, 26, joined the BBC soap as Harry Mitchell last year, but he has had a secret brush with fame on a reality show.

Mechanic examining a car engine.

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EastEnders fans have been left stunned after discovering Harry Mitchell star looked completely unrecognisable during a stint on a BBC talent showCredit: BBC

Elijah Holloway singing on BBC Let It Shine.

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In his bid for fame, Elijah performed in front of the judging panel at just 18 years oldCredit: BBC
Before he was a member of the Mitchell family, Elijah auditioned for forgotten BBC talent search Let It Shine in 2017.

Let It Shine was a UK wide BBC talent search to find 5 contestants to join the cast of a brand new stage show.

They would play the role of a boyband in a new nationwide touring musical that features the music of Take That.

Thousands applied, and from discussions between the TV show Producers, vocal coaches and choreographers, a selection of contestants were invited to audition for the chance to win a place in the stage show.

In his bid for fame, Elijah performed in front of the judging panel, made up of Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue, Martin Kemp and Amber Riley.

Aged just 18 at the time, Elijah was working as a luxury perfume salesman and attempted to win over the judges with his charisma and sales pitch, presenting fragrances to the celebrity panel.

Later in the competition, he channelled John Travolta with a very memorable rendition of ‘Greased Lightning’ from the movie ‘Grease’.

However, he failed to make any of the bands that competed to be the stars of the stage show.

But since arriving in Albert Square, Elijah’s character Harry has adapted to life in Walford and found themselves at the heart of the drama.

A recent episode solved the mystery of what happened to Harry’s ex-girlfriend Shireen.

EastEnders fans predict shock new romance between two unlikely characters after telltale sign

When Teddy revealed he was determined to find Shireen to clear his and Harry’s name, Nicola met up with a mysterious man.

Getting into his car, she said: “That job you did for me a couple of years back, someone’s running their mouth. They’ve got it backwards but it’s all kicking off again. I need to know where she is.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Benji replied.

Handing over cash, Nicola prompted the man’s memory.