Paddy McGuinness briefly had fans fooled when he made an unrecognisable appearance on his own Instagram page. The Top Gear host appeared in a video he posted to his page on the social media platform as he hilariously hit back at rumours that he had 'work done' over the Christmas break.
But it wasn't what it seemed as Paddy, 49, posted the video of himself talking to the camera, but edited it with a filter that completely changed his appearance.
The TV star's usual look had been ditched as the filter provided him with a brunette quiff and even altered his facial features. Paddy's face appeared smooth and elongated while his eyes appeared more piercing and blue than they usually do.
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Speaking in the video, Paddy cheekily claimed he had "headed to Turkey over Christmas" but denied he had "had a bit of work done". He told his fans: "Hello there, I've come on here today to address the absolutely scurrilous and unfounded rumours that I've had a bit of work done over Christmas."
But the joke instantly became clear as he continued: "Yes, I've been to Turkey for a long weekend, but there's absolutely no truth in that I've had a bit of work done. This is just a tan and I've had a couple of cans of that Prime. Also there's a lot of fake accounts going round of mine, unless it's this guy, it's not the real deal, happy 2023.'
Dad-of-three Paddy then added in a tongue-in-cheek caption: "Ignore the fake accounts. Unless it's this guy, it's not real." Comedian John Bishop was among the first to respond, simply posting a string of crying laughing emojis. And the whole comments section was filled with the little yellow faces as fans responded to Paddy's latest joke.
@tracey.oldfield said: "Must admit, I watched this with the sound off and thought, Paddy's had a bit of work done. Sorry." @acm_strong wrote: "Took me a second to realise that's a filter." @glenfarrelly replied: "40 years younger there paddy." @mel_sefton quipped: "You look quite nice…maybe you should have some work done."
And it wasn't long before he was compared to other celebrity faces. @the_three_giants laughed: "If David Beckham and Gary Barlow had a son." @carlanew17 echoed: "Paddy Beckham." @abbigail_c joked: "You look more like David Beckham than David Beckham." @maxtylerofficial replied: "Looks like Gary Barlow."
@simmnj posted: "You look like you've melted in to David Beckham." @susiemax73 shared: "You look like a hybrid of yourself and Gary Barlow." @cazzie_1980 added: "I thought you were Gary Barlow for a second."
It comes after Paddy entered the New Year by reflecting on the 'ups and downs' of 2022. Presenter Paddy, who separated from wife Christine McGuinness last year but they have remained living together to support their three children - Leo, Felicity and Penelope - took to Instagram the social media platform to share a montage made up of memories from the year.
"I’ve had a year of ups and downs but I’m still above ground," he said. "I hope 2023 brings us all a bit of happiness and we get through it in good health."
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