
Noughties reality star looks unrecognisable 22 years after talent show fame – can you guess who he is?
The BBC star rose to fame on the second series of the talent show in 2003, which saw Alex Park crowned winner.
Advertisement
5
Alistair Griffin was a reality TV star from the noughties
Credit: Instagram / @alistair.griffin
5
The Fame Academy star is still going strong and released an album in 2015
Credit: Rex
5
Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty hosted Fame Academy - the pair are now married
Credit: BBC
Runner up to Alex, Alistair Griffin released the song Bring It On following
He has continued with his songwriting, penning the song I Wish for You the World, for the Games Maker Choir, during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Still at it, he released his third album From Nowhere in 2014.
Alistair is currently hosting a run of concerts by candlelight, titled
Advertisement
More on noughties stars
The songrwriter recently shared a video explaining his path into music and is success after the show.
He said: "I come from a little village in Yorkshire called Castleton.
"Where there's more sheep than people and there's definitely not many pop stars.
"I've always loved music and writing songs.
Advertisement
Most read in Showbiz
Exclusive
Exclusive
Exclusive
"So I left Yorkshire and I went to London to pursue my dream.
"And it wasn't long before I ended up on one of the first TV talent shows."
He continued: "Fame Academy was a cross between X Factor and Big Brother.
"We all lived in a big house together, we all sang for survival. We all voted each other out at the end, it was brutal.
Advertisement
"Since then I have continued making music. Duetted with one of Girls Aloud, Kimberley Walsh, my song Just Drive was used as the theme tune to Formula 1.
"Played for some big crowds along the way.
"Met some great people along the way and I'm always up for an adventure.
"Hope you like my TikTok, stay tuned and follow me for for my latest adventure."
Advertisement
5
He recently discovered his old Fame Academy DDVD
5
Alistair was a student when he signed up to Fame Academy
Credit: BBC
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
17 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
LGBTQ+ prize cancelled after backlash over Irish author's views
The organisers of the 2025 Polari Prize, a prominent literary award celebrating LGBTQ+ literature from writers born or based in the UK and Ireland, have paused this year's competition following widespread backlash over the inclusion of author John Boyne on the longlist. Boyne, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, was longlisted for his novella Earth. However, his inclusion sparked intense controversy due to a recent article he penned in the Irish Independent on 27th July 2025, where he referred to himself as a "fellow TERF" (trans‑exclusionary radical feminist) in a tribute to Harry Potter author JK Rowling. In it, he defended Rowling's gender‑critical views and criticised those who oppose them. Following the longlist's release on 1 August 2025, backlash escalated rapidly. Ten authors and two judges withdrew in protest, opposing Boyne's inclusion on principle. Notable names included Sacha Coward, Mae Diansangu, Jason Okundaye, and former First Book prizewinner and judge Nicola Dinan. An open letter organised by authors Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Emma van Straaten, signed by over 800 writers and publishing industry professionals, condemned the decision to include Boyne, calling it "inappropriate and hurtful", citing a climate of rising anti‑trans sentiment. Dr Avi Ben‑Zeev, the only trans author on the longlist, opted to remain in the competition, stating that withdrawal would silence his unique trans perspective and narrative, according to the BBC. Boyne responded publicly, stating that the backlash had brought him "very close to the edge" and that he had endured "endless harassment" from both strangers and fellow writers. He later offered to remain on the longlist, but asked that his book not be considered for the shortlist if other authors rejoined, though they did not return. On 18 August 2025, the Polari Prize organisers announced that the award would not proceed this year. In a statement they issued apologies, emphasised that "Polari is not and has never been a trans‑exclusionary organisation," and committed to a governance and management review. They also pledged to increase representation of trans and gender non‑conforming individuals on judging panels. Founded in 2011, the Polari prize has honoured a wide range of LGBTQ+ voices and genres. It is expected to return in 2026.


The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch as Justin Bieber lookalike tricks Vegas club into letting him perform to oblivious fans – & runs up a $10k bar tab
WATCH as a Justin Bieber lookalike tricks a Vegas nightclub into letting him perform on stage and run up a $10,000 bar tab. Staff and partygoers at the five-star Wynn Las Vegas hotel were convinced that scammer Dylan Desclos, 29, was the real Canadian pop star. 7 The fake Bieber seized the chance to perform to an adoring crowd Credit: X 7 Fans clamoured to record a video of the fake Bieber performing 7 Bieber, actually Dylan Desclos, poses with an oblivious party-goer Credit: X LA-based DJ Gryffin was performing at XS Nightclub, and was told that Bieber, 31, was in town, reports TMZ. He heard that the superstar wanted to perform at his Saturday night show - and readily agreed, inviting him into the DJ booth. Videos posted to social media show the shirtless, tattooed fake singing and dancing on stage in front of a packed crowd. Almost everyone is recording the moment on their phones and appear totally fooled. He belts out Bieber's hit Sorry and prances around, always wearing a pair of dark glasses. The DJ is also completely oblivious, hyping up the prankster from behind the decks. Another clip shows adoring fans clamouring to snap a selfie with Desclos. A fake security team was in tow, and the group wandered around splashing cash at shops and behind the bar. The impersonator got through a couple of tracks before staff clocked onto the ruse and booted him off stage. Gryffin saw the funny side of the saga and documented how it unfolded on Instagram. Justin Bieber sparks concern with series of worrying selfies as he refers to drugs in shock post He posted a series of clips along with his version of events, dubbing the faker "Bustin Jeiber". Gryffin wrote: "How Bustin Jeiber duped me during me own set. How I ended up in this situation. "It started when Bustin Jeiber showed up to the club and I was told he wanted to perform. "Dark venue and loud music didn't help here. "So his 'team' said he wanted to perform Sorry. Little did I know I was about to be sorry... 7 The DJ said the club conditions made it hard to recognise the fake 7 Fake Bieber rocked up with a 'security team' 7 Dylan Desclos has a history of impersonating Bieber "The place went wild, and after 4 minutes and 27 seconds of what sounded like Justin Bieber, I found out the worst news imaginable. "COMPLETE FAKE. NO WAY." At the end of the video, Gryffin said: "I literally thought, 'He's put on a lot of weight since the album dropped.'" A rep for Wynn and XS Nightclub told TMZ: 'After an elaborate and multi-step ruse by him and his advance team, a Justin Bieber impersonator was granted access to the XS stage. 'As soon as the error was recognized, he was removed from the resort and denied future entry.' Desclos eventually paid the tab he and his gang racked up.


The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Tommy Fury's HUGE and ‘lonely' new mansion with swimming pool he ‘bought for Molly-Mae and Bambi'
TOMMY Fury has shared a look inside his huge and 'lonely' new mansion with a swimming pool. The boxer and Love Island star shares a glimpse at the very impressive home in his new BBC, The Good, The Bad, The Fury, documentary, admitting he bought the home for partner Molly-Mae and their two-year-old daughter Bambi. 8 Tommy Fury has shared a look inside his huge and 'lonely' new mansion with a swimming pool Credit: Instagram 8 The mansion is in Cheshire Credit: BBC 8 Tommy's stylish lounge Credit: BBC 8 The home boasts a swimming pool Credit: BBC The mansion is in Cheshire and can be seen surrounded by outhouses and rolling fields. At the front of the impressive home stands a large water fountain on a gravel drive. And a glimpse inside reveals a very chic lounge area and a swimming pool surrounded by glass windows looking out into the vast garden. Tommy, 26, can be seen talking in the kitchen of his home and reveals that he purchased the home for Molly and his daughter. But Tommy, who filmed the documentary amid his split from Molly, admits he's lonely in the house. The reality star says: 'I'm in this big house that I bought for Molly and Bambi to live in, so she could have great memories growing up here. 'But I find myself just sat alone in a big house by myself and you just hear silence. It's been the worst year of my life.' Tommy, seen sitting at a huge kitchen table then FaceTimes his family, who live in Tommy's former home, also in Cheshire. Shock moment Tommy Fury's dad tells him to 'get a grip' as star opens up about his struggles after Molly Mae split The boxer spends a lot of time in the stunning home in his new documentary, showing off huge wooden bookshelves and log walls. The star has also revealed a TV hanging above a white fireplace in the grey-themed room. But it's commented on the documentary that he needs a 'few more bits and bobs' to fill up the empty spaces. Molly admitted in a recent vlog that she's been spending more and more time at the impressive home with Bambi, since reuniting with Tommy. She even shopped for artwork for the mansion in her latest YouTube video. Tommy moved into the swanky new home after splitting from Molly last year, leaving their £3.5million mansion behind, which Molly still lives in, with her sister Zoe and her sister's husband Danny. Molly-Mae did not attend the premiere of Tommy Fury's new documentary on Tuesday evening. The boxer was joined by his parents in Manchester for a screening of BBC show The Good. The Bad. The Fury, which sees him rehash details of their recent split, as well as make a series of shock revelations about it. Tommy looked in good spirits as he posed on the red carpet with his family and a number of reality stars - including Love Island's Kaz Crossley. Despite their recent reconciliation and loved-up displays, Molly - the mother of his daughter Bambi - swerved the bash. It comes after he made the shock revelation that he was downing "20 shots a night" and drinking to get "blackout drunk" ahead of their split last year. The news of their split in August 2024, just more than a year after their engagement, sparked shock and speculation he had been unfaithful. Tommy, the half-brother of boxer Tyson, denies the rumours in his new doc, saying he started drinking heavily after injuring his hand. He said: "The reason for our ending the relationship was alcohol." He added: "I couldn't train, box, lift weights, that was all gone. "My right hand was messed up, I was in dire pain, it's just what happens over years of impact on the hand. "I had lost my entire identity, lost my life." In the first episode of the show, Tommy''s father John says he urged Molly to leave his son, saying: "I knew from dealing with Tyson, when the drinking started to come into play I thought 'Not again'. 8 Tommy says he bought it to create memories with Bambi Credit: BBC 8 Tommy, who filmed the documentary amid his split from Molly, admits he's lonely in the house Credit: BBC 8 Tommy spotted exploring his large kitchen Credit: BBC