X Factor legend totally unrecognisable 15 years on after jaw-dropping makeover

X Factor icon Mary Byrne has undergone a dramatic transformation since her time on the ITV talent show, sporting a brand new look after switching up her hair and white blonde crop hairstyle and showcasing her incredible weight loss

X Factor star Mary Byrne is now barely recognisable.

The 65 year old Irish singer rose to fame on the 2010 series, impressing judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl and Katy Perry with her powerful performance of Tom Jones' hit I Who Have Nothing.

Fans affectionately dubbed her 'Tesco Mary' due to her job at the supermarket chain in Ireland. In a year that saw Matt Cardle beat Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction, Mary secured a commendable fifth place, captivating audiences with her vocal talent and performances.

Back then, Mary had brunette hair with a fringe, but recent photos show her sporting a white blonde cropped hairstyle. While still passionate about singing, 65 year old Mary has also ventured into podcasting, co-hosting The Wise Owl Wans Podcast with Irish actress and writer Eilish O'Carroll, 72.

Mary looks completely different to her X Factor days(Image: (Image: Instagram/ @marybyrneofficial))

Mary is also appearing in pantomime, playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Liberty Panto in Dublin. In promotional photos for her panto role, Mary is seen wearing a white frilly dress and styled pink hair, a stark contrast from her X Factor days.

Since her stint on the ITV show, Mary has starred in a musical alongside Linda Nolan and has entertained passengers on Mediterranean cruises with Sir Cliff Richard, reports the Express.

Byrne is best known for her X Factor appearance(Image: (Image: PA))

X Factor sensation Mary Byrne has spilled the beans on her heartache over the loss of her pal Liam Payne, revealing to The Sun: "I wouldn't say fame wasn't for him but I would say that they went far too big, far too quick, they literally burned out after five years."

She reminisced about Liam's struggle with the limelight, his life on the road in hotels, and the intense fan frenzy. Mary shared a poignant memory of Liam's own words: "He said 'I am loving it, it is brilliant', But he said 'It is hard and it is not what I expected' those were the words he said."

The ITV star placed fifth in the 2010 series(Image: (Image: Ken McKay/ITV))

As someone close to Liam, Mary couldn't help but feel a motherly pride, saying: "I was following his career and these young men and you are thinking how proud you are. I always felt proud like a mother because I was the Mammy figure in the house."

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