The veteran actor had embarked on a new acting project in 2024, assuming the role of the bumbling elderly Major in John Cleese's theatrical adaptation of the iconic BBC series Fawlty Towers.

The then 81-year-old star subsequently appeared on the show in July that year, alongside Cleese and one of his fellow cast members to discuss his endeavour with hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.

Best remembered for portraying Vincent in 1980s television sitcom Just Good Friends, Paul has also featured in multiple soap operas, with one of his latest roles being in EastEnders, where he played Gavin Sullivan.

Gavin, the biological father of Sharon Watts and former spouse of Kathy Beale, was identifiable by his glacial white hair and steely gaze, appearing in Walford from 2015 to 2016.

Nevertheless, during his live television slot, Paul sported a very different hairstyle and glasses. Viewers at the time were astounded by the transformation.

Fans went rushing to X, formerly Twitter, to express their amazement at his new look. One user wrote: "Paul Nicholas wow."

Reactions continued flooding in, with one viewer noting: "Me when i realised that was Paul Nicholas." Yet amid the astonishment, a rational viewpoint emerged, with one person remarking: "Paul Nicholas will be 80 in December, people do get old ya know."

The iconic Fawlty Towers transferred to the West End stage in a revival of the TV programme that aired for two series between 1975 and 1979.

Based on the real-life hotelier Donald Sinclair who ran Torquay's Gleneagles Hotel, it focused on the shockingly rude behaviour which fascinated co-creators John Cleese (Basil) and Connie Booth (Sybil), reports the Mirror.

The Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV and ITVX.