He played the evil villain Geoff Metcalfe before he was spectacularly killed.
But Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew seemed worlds apart from his soap opera alter ego when he made a surprise appearance on Midsomer Murders on Sunday.
The 69-year-old actor sported a bushy gray beard for his guest starring role in the mystery drama, in which he played the father of a murdered girl named Tilly.
Subsequently, his character publicly denounced a group of psychics who had settled in the village, accusing them of being responsible for his daughter’s death.
He raised suspicions that he might be the culprit when DS Jamie Winter caught him trying to burn Tilly’s diaries, and he was later arrested for violently attacking the psychics during their mystical meeting.
Look who it is! Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew appeared worlds apart from his soap opera alter ego when he made a surprise appearance on Midsomer Murders on Sunday
On “Corrie,” Ian was best known for playing Yasmeen’s controlling husband, Geoff, who became one of the show’s most hated characters.
The hard-hitting storyline shed a light on coercive control and featured a terrified Yasmeen attempting to kill Geoff and nearly going to jail for her crime.
In dramatic scenes, it was soon revealed that Geoff had abused Yasmeen and in a special episode celebrating the soap’s 60th anniversary in December 2020, he was killed after falling off a roof.
Parallels can be drawn between Ian’s two roles, as his character Midsomer was also accused of controlling his daughter before her death.
Sunday’s episode of Midsomer Murders also featured a surprise appearance from Holly Willoughby, who made her acting debut as The Queen Of Daytime.
Amused viewers saw the TV regular make a fleeting appearance at a psychic convention attended by local detective John Barnaby, played by film veteran Neil Dudgeon, and his partner, DS Jamie Winter, played by Nick Hendrix, while they investigate a murder.
As the event’s VIP guest, Holly is seated on a throne and is the center of attention when the weary detectives discover her after entering.
“Is that the queen of the day?” asks Winter, motioning to the presenter when she sees her.
scary! Best known for his role as the abusive Geoff Metcalfe on the ITV soap, the actor has become one of the world’s most hated characters
RIP: Geoff was sensationally killed in a special episode celebrating Corrie’s 60th anniversary in December 2020
The much older Barnaby is obviously not a fan of This Morning, and replies: “Gloria Hunniford? Are you sure?’
Fans were equally unsettled, albeit for different reasons. Many criticized the scene’s “forced and unrealistic” dialogue, as well as Holly’s presence on the show.
A viewer wrote to X: ‘Is that the queen of the day?’ As if anyone would say.’
While a second remarked: “Ah yes, realistic, not at all forced, dialogue of the highest quality exists on ITV.”
A third joked: “How much did Holly Willoughby pay the #MidsomerMurders writers to get this line?”
While a fourth wrote, “Why why Holly Willoughby?” Much better without as it felt like breaking the fourth wall by using it — the goofy grin she used had with the others in this episode no place for “real” actors. Dump a new actor on set instead!’
Others were more charitable, however, with one commenting: “I’m actually really enjoying the fact that Holly Willoughby is making an occasional appearance on the episode of #MidsomerMurders on STV at the moment, playing herself.”
Cameo: The autocue was nowhere in sight when Holly Willoughby made her acting debut on Sunday night’s episode of “Midsomer Murders.”
Guest of Honor: Holly was a VIP guest when the Midsomer village of Angel’s Rise hosted their annual Psychic Fayre
While another added: “I forgot @hollywills would be on #MidsomerMurders. Love it I can see her beaming.”
Speaking on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, Dudgeon explained the decision to cast Holly despite the presenter’s apparent lack of acting experience.
He said, “Well, she’s kind of a friend of the show I suppose — she’s a huge fan of the show and we’re always trying to expand our casting network.”
“She was great, she was professional through and through.” I think she was a bit nervous when she arrived. She plays a character called Holly Willoughby, I wouldn’t say it’s herself.”