Emmerdale's Jay Kontzle's popstar past and 'best times' on Britain's Got Talent
Emmerdale fan favourite Billy Fletcher, played by Jay Kontzle, may be part of action-packed storylines in the Dales – but Jay's past career was quite the adventure too.
The 34-year-old burst onto our screens in 2018, and has been at the centre of major storylines since then.
However, Emmerdale isn't the first time Jay has been known for his TV appearances.
Jay was a member of boyband The Mend, formed in 2008 by former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith.
They first appeared on TV on The X Factor in 2011, but left abruptly when it was revealed that having a management deal was a rule break.
Jay pictured with The Mend on Britain's Got Talent in 2012. (Image: ITV/ Britain's Got Talent) In 2012 The Mend then auditioned for Britain's Got Talent and made it all the way to final – receiving praise from head judge Simon Cowell.
Although The Mend broke up in 2015, they went on to tour with the likes of Little Mix and secured a dedicated fanbase.
While reflecting on his popstar days, he told Cheshire Live: "Being part of The Mend was a huge life experience for me and some of the best times of my life.
"Obviously, being on tour and performing live on TV gave me so much experience, but as we grew older, we realised that as a boy band that catered for teenagers, we couldn't keep re-inventing ourselves."
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Jay decided to take a different career route after his boyband days, and made the role of Billy his own in Emmerdale.
Viewers were keen to tune in to see his on-screen antics with wife Dawn and the challenges they faced.
Jay's acting credits before Emmerdale include Fresh Meat with Jack Whitehall, a role in Diana and I, a Moonpig advert and behind-the-scenes work on the films Underwater and Bring Back My Bonnie, reports The Mirror.
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