Former EastEnders actor Harry Reid appeared unrecognisable from his soap character as he posed for a topless bathroom selfie.

26-year-old Harry is best known for playing Ben Mitchell in Albert Square, though the role was recently recast by bosses in favour of an other star.

And Harry already looks to be moving on as he stunned his Instagram followers with a very daring snap.

The actor posed up in front of a mirror clothed only on his bottom half, as he flexed his muscles for the camera.

Harry Reid is looking very different as he showed off his buff bod
Ben Mitchell
Harry as Ben Mitchell in the BBC One Soap

Harry even teased a pull at his Calvin Klein boxers as he showed off the results of time spent in the gym.

He wrote alongside it: "*CRINGE ALERT* I never do this, but progress is progress. Just don't take me seriously."

Fellow EastEnders alumni, Jonny Labey, best known for playing Paul Coker, then piped up in response: "In a disabled toilet.... classy b****."

While Jamie Borthwick, who currently plays Jay Brown in the soap, teased: "Hmmm nearly there lad... long way to go yet."

Max Bowden has taken on the role of Ben Mitchell on EastEnders

Back in January it was reported that the character of Ben Mitchell would be returning to Albert Square - but with a different actor playing the part of Phil's son.

Max Bowden will be taking over the role when the character returns to Walford next month, alongside Lola Pearce and their daughter Lexi.

Viewers had been devastated to learn Harry’s departure was permanent, after he was written out of the soap in January 2018 after four years.

Harry played Ben Mitchell between 2014 and 2018

Ben fled Walford after stealing money from dad Phil Mitchell and gangster Aidan Maguire, but there was always hope he’d make a comeback.

The soap's new boss Kate Oates spoke to Digital Spy to explain the reason behind the switch.

She said: "Harry Reid is an awesome actor and I think he did really well with Ben. I really enjoyed watching him. [But] I just want to take the character in a different direction and that's why I've gone for somebody different and I know that recasts sometimes ruffle some feathers and I know that sometimes people think they won't gel with that character the same way they used to.

"I just hope people give Max a chance, 'cause he's a great actor and I'm really excited by what we've been storylining. It does shine a light on a different facet of Ben and that's why we've gone somewhere else. It's a whole new era and that's what we want to emphasise."