Former EastEnders star Joe Absalom is returning to our screens this summer on Emmerdale – and he looks unrecognisable 25 years after he left the BBC soap. 

The actor, 46, played Matthew Rose, a character who was framed for the murder of Saskia Duncan (Deborah Sheridan-Taylor), in Walford more than a quarter of a century ago between 1997 and 2000.

He has since starred in a number of different shows, including ITV’s Doc Martin as AI large and Casualty.

The actor is now making his return to soap television, joining the cast of Emmerdale as Ray, an old contact of the Mackenzie family who turns out to be a drug dealer. 

And in new pH๏τos released by ITV to promote his new gig, Joe looked understandably unrecognisable from his time in Walford all those years ago. 

From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail’s new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.

Former EastEnders star Joe Absalom, 46, will be joining Emmerdale this summer 25 years after he left the BBC soap

The actor played Matthew Rose, a character who was framed for the murder of Saskia Duncan, in Walford more than a quarter of a century ago between 1997 to 2000

The actor, who had long floppy hair and a freshly shaven face when he played Matthew, is now sporting a shorter trim and a shaped grey beard.

He’s a far cry from his previous boyish visage and mousy middle-parting, with his salt and pepper locks giving him a decidedly more rugged look.

Ahead of his debut on Emmerdale farm, the show’s producer Laura Shaw said: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absalom to the cast. 

‘It’s fantastic to have such a high calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray. 

‘Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he’s capable of.’

Joe commented: ‘Well what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! It’s an iconic show and I’m grateful to be part of it. I can’t wait to see what’s in stock for Ray!’

Recently the actor has been spotted in ITV’s new crime drama Code Of Silence, which premiered on Sunday May 18.  

The six-part series sees a deaf waitress (Rose Ayling-Ellis) pulled into an investigation to help with her lip-reading skills. Joe stars in the gripping thriller as Braden Moore.

Joe will be playing a character called ray on Emmerdale, an old friend of the Mackenzie family with a villainous side 

His character on EastEnders was framed for the murder of the popular soap character Saskia Duncan

ITV’s announcement that the 46-year-old Brit will be joining Emmerdale comes on the same week that the broadcaster poached another seasoned BBC soap actor. 

Jaye Griffiths, 61, who previously starred in Casualty and Doctors, will be joining the northern-based soap as a farmer called Celia in the coming months. 

Her alter-ego, who is renting a neighbouring farm from Kim Tate, is introduced when she enquires about renting two of Moira Dingle (Natalie J. Robb) fields – but Moira isn’t interested. 

Moira is later glad she didn’t give in when Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) is viciously attacked by Celia’s guard dogs under suspicious circumstances.

Speaking about her upcoming role, Jaye said: ‘I was delighted to get this role – without giving the game away she is very different to anyone I have played before and I can’t wait to really get into the heart of her storyline.’ 

Earlier this month it was revealed Coronation Street and Emmerdale are set to make soap history with a landmark crossover episode.

Fans of the ITV soaps will be over the moon to know that characters from Weatherfield and The Dales will be teaming up for a dramatic stunt that will change their lives forever.

The crossover, which will be a one-off special hour-long episode, is to mark the channel’s new power hour of soap – which starts in January next year. 

Jaye Griffiths, 61, who previously starred in Casualty and Doctors, will be joining the northern-based soap as a farmer called Celia in the coming months

The new collaboration is set to launch the new ITV1 and STV scheduling pattern.

ITV’s press release explains: ‘The distinctive worlds of Emmerdale and Coronation Street will merge for one night only in a ‘mash-up’ of our two favourite communities.

‘The producers, scriptwriters and production teams have conceived an ingenious way of linking the two universes, but with characters then returning to the soaps they are renowned for inhabiting in Manchester and Yorkshire.

‘The episode will be self-contained, but the consequences of the high-stakes drama will have repercussions for both communities and see them linked forever as familiar faces depart and exciting new characters arrive into both soaps.’

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.