A HOLLYOAKS star has stripped naked for a racy photo on social media after undergoing an incredible body transformation.

Actor James Sutton – who has played John Paul McQueen for more than 20 years in the Channel 4 soap – posed with little more than a carefully-placed towel for the saucy snap.

The star has been on something of a journey with his health and fitness that has seen him transformed into a gym-honed hunk.

Posting the picture to Instagram stories, he followed it up with a screenshot of a text from a friend saying” Thirst trap or what.”

James replied: “No. When you spend as much time in the gym as I do, it’s more akin to presenting an art project, than it is a thirst trap.”

He first revealed his transformation in 2022 before his marriage split when he dropped a stone in weight.

James went on to build his body back up, packing on the muscle and making himself almost unrecognisable.

He stunned fans after giving them a peek of his new look as he took to his social media with a vest snap where he flaunted his bulging biceps.

The soap star captioned the photo: “He Slow progress is still progress 💪🏼 #fitness #gymmotivation #liverpool.”

As he flaunted his toned physique, fans couldn’t help but notice how he different he looked from the Hollyoaks character.

They flooded the comments section with praise and well wishes

One fan joked: “Those door frames gonna start getting tight as hell!”

Another exclaimed with shock: “What the actual f***!”

“WHO IS HEEEEEEE 💅🏻,” asked a third user.

As a fourth said: “Looking 👀 great and hench . Keep up the fab work “ John Paul McQueen” 💪🏼💪🏼.”