How the celeb party lads transformed into devoted dads

Their former lifestyles may have given these celebs notorious reputations – but Closer looks at how parenthood has turned their lives around

celeb dads who have transformed

by Daisy McClure |
Updated on

Recent surveys have shown that men are becoming more hands-on than ever when it comes to parenting, with 58 per cent of men saying they’d taken on a greater childcare role during lockdown.

Parenthood is a huge life change for anyone – not least the celebrity dads who have built up reputations for loving the party lifestyle and dating multiple women – sometimes at the same time.

Closer takes a look at the men who have swapped wild nights out for family evenings in, and changed beyond recognition – finding new happiness and contentment – since becoming dads.

Mario Falcone: ‘I have new respect for Becky’

While starring in TOWIE, Mario Falcone was known for his womanising ways. In 2013 he split from Lucy Mecklenburgh following cheating rumours on both sides – which they both denied – before going on to have a fling with Chloe Sims.

However, in 2016 Mario began dating Becky Miesner before getting engaged the following year and welcoming their son Parker, now two, in 2018. Since then, the former bad boy has become a real family man.

Reflecting on his heavy drinking days when he was starring in TOWIE, the 33-year-old says, “Back in the day, we were going out all the time, drinking, getting up to all sorts, and that doesn’t help your mental situation.”

The star has also spent time as a stay-at-home father, but has admitted it was tough, saying, “I was at home all day on my own with no one else around and there were no other dads to do things with. It was the most soul-destroying, lonely thing ever.”

But Mario says parenthood has given him a whole “new level of love and respect” for his make-up artist wife-to-be.

Jeremy McConnell: ‘My daughter’s my queen’

Jeremy McConnell and former Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Davis embarked on a roller-coaster romance after meeting in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2016, which culminated in numerous break-ups and make-ups and claims of cheating on both sides – which they both denied.

In May that year, after another split, Stephanie, 28, revealed she was pregnant with Jeremy’s child – which he initially denied was his. They briefly reunited following the birth of their son Caben Albi – after Jeremy had taken a positive DNA test to confirm Caben was his. But in August 2017, Jeremy was found guilty of assaulting Stephanie and they split for good. That same year he admitted to having a major cocaine problem, which he later sought treatment for.

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He had a volatile relationship with Stephanie ©shutterstock

Since then, Jeremy, 31, has been living a quiet life with solicitor girlfriend Katie McCreath, 35, who he met when she represented him during his assault trial. And it seems he quickly settled into fatherhood after becoming a dad for a second time in 2019 to their daughter Storm. He often shares family snaps of the trio holidaying with his 413,000 Instagram followers, captioning one sweet snap of Storm “my queen”.

Spencer Matthews: ‘You realise it's not about you anymore’

He was SW3’s resident Lothario, but six years after leaving Made In Chelsea, Spencer Matthews is a changed man. The reformed party boy, who was kicked out of I’m A Celeb! in 2015 for taking “steroid-based medication” is now a clean-living father-of-two and admitted he’s transformed thanks to his family lifestyle.

“I’m not sure I’d know myself, or even be friends with myself, three years ago,” says the reality star, who gave up drinking around the time his first daughter was born. Spencer shares children, Theodore, two, and 10-month-old Gigi, with wife of two years Vogue Williams.

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He married Vogue in 2018 ©Getty Images

The reality star, 32, who has a low-alcohol liquor company called CleanCo, insists he didn’t have a drink problem but was “sober curious”, saying, “I remember Theodore was going to be born in a few months, and I was at the stage where I was drinking really rather very heavily, and it was going to be a big shock to the system. When you have kids, you realise it’s not really about you any more – suddenly you have to be ready and available for them at all times.”

Gaz Beadle: ‘Fatherhood has changed my life’

He was known as the “top shagger” when he starred on Geordie Shore and was the ultimate party animal, but Gary Beadle has confessed that becoming a new dad, “changed my life”.

The 33 year old, who shares his children, Chester, two and 17-month-old daughter Primrose with fiancée Emma McVey, has opened up about fatherhood, saying, “I just love everything about it! It literally changed my life.”

He also told his Instagram followers that the best thing about becoming a dad is, “You forget about all the pretentious stuff, you stop living life trying to impress people... and simple things make you so happy.”

Gaz began dating Emma, whom he’s due to wed this summer, in 2016 but the couple split the following year after Emma accused him of cheating – which he denied – before quickly reuniting. Speaking about how Emma helped tame his wild ways, Gaz said, “She wouldn’t care if she didn’t have a night out for the next 10 years. She’s just a normal, really good mum and it keeps me very grounded. I feel like I live a normal life now.”

Check out: AXED Geordie Shore cast then and now

Gallery

AXED Geordie Shore then and now SLIDER

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Charlotte Crosby in 2011

Charlotte Crosby takes to the red carpet before appearing in the first ever series of MTV's Geordie Shore.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Charlotte Crosby now

Charlotte's had a massive transformation over the years, and has been smashing it in her career since her Geordie days. She hosts Just Tattoo Of Us' has released books and fitness DVDs, and a show all about her.

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CREDIT: Tony Kyriacou/REX/Shutterstock

Holly Hagan in 2011

Before her Geordie Shore debut, Holly Hagan looked like this.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Holly Hagan now

Now, it would seem that Holly's taken some inspo from Kim K, as her look has drastically changed.

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Greg Lake in 2011

Greg appeared in Geordie Shore from the very beginning, but didn't make it past series one.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Greg Lake now

Greg was married to Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe, with whom he has a baby.

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CREDIT: MTV

Gaz Beadle in 2011

Here's Gaz before embarking on his long-running career on Geordie Shore.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Gary Beadle now - aged 29

In terms of poses not much has changed. But, believe it or not, this Geordie hunk has left the dating scene behind, because he's loved up with wife Emma McVey.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

James Tindale in 2011

James's debut on Geordie Shore saw him spend 90% of his time at the gym and the remaining 10% flexing his muscles in the mirror.

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CREDIT: Instagram

James Tindale now

Looks like he stuck at it!

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Jay Gardner in 2011

'The dad of the Geordie group' Jay was the oldest member of the show. Who could forget those iconic 'brows...

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Jay Gardner now

And, years later, his brows are still on fleek.

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Vicky Pattison in 2011

Fiesty Vicky has had quite the transformation over the years...

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Vicky Pattison now

But she's since dropped her wild days and is now engaged to Ercan Ramadan.

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Sophie Kasaei in 2011

Sophie joined Geordie Shore show in series one, but was axed for her unacceptable behaviour two years later. She later returned to the show in 2016 with a slightly newer cast!

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Sophie Kasaei now

She's since glowed upppppppp, and is now back on the show.

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CREDIT: MTV

Ricci Guarnaccio in 2011

Ricci joined the show in series two, and had a rollercoaster of a relationship with Vicki Pattison.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Ricci Guarnaccio now - aged 31

He now works as a DJ and occasional film actor.

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CREDIT: MTV

Rebecca Walker in 2012

Rebecca also joined the show in series two, and was known for her bust-ups, dramas and fallouts.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Rebecca Walker now

Now, she's ditched the party days and has become a mum of three.

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CREDIT: MTV

Daniel Thomas

Dan joined Geordie Shore in the fourth series and left at the end of series five.

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Daniel Thomas now

He doesn't look all that different now, but he's certainly been enjoying life (and the gym).

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Scott Timlin 2013

Life and soul of the party Scotty T joined the show in series four.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Scotty T now

And WHAT a career this Geordie has had. Fromwinning Celebrity Big Brotherto landing a cameo appearance in Neighbours to even having a girlfriend, he's definitely seen success in the media industry.

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CREDIT: MTV

Marnie Simspon 2014

Marnie entered the house in series seven. Back then, she described herself a "natural beauty".

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CREDIT: Instagram

Marnie Simpson now - aged 25

Marnie had several cosmetic procedures done since being on the show, including a nose job, lip fillers and a boob job.

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CREDIT: MTV

Aaron Chalmers then

Tatted-up Aaron Chalmers joined in the eighth series and had an infamous on-off relationship with Marnie. It was SO juicy to watch.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Aaron Chalmers now

Aaron quit Geordie Shore to focus on his career as an MMA fighter, along with his spending more time on his relationship.

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CREDIT: MTV

Kyle Christie then

How young does Kyle look?! We barely even recognised this Geordie Shore star.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Kyle Christie now

Well HELLO there Kyle. Talk about a transformation people.

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Marty McKenna

Marty McKenna was the cheeky chappie who joined the cast along with Chantelle Connelly who didn't quite cut the mustard with the all alpha boys – especially after he played Chloe and tashed on with Charlotte behind Gaz's back.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Marty McKenna

Marty was axed from the show along with Scotty T for bad behaviour, but while Scotty was reinstated and is now one of the longest serving Geordie Shore cast members EVER, Marty didn't make the cut.He's grown some stubble, and is dating a fellow Geordie lass called Kat.

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Chantelle Connelly

Pint size Chantelle Connelly was determined to cause chaos when she entered the house, and certainly made some enemies during her brief stint on the show.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Chantelle Connelly

Chantelle baffled the world over when she shared a picture of herself with some impressive abs at five months pregnant, leading some fans to speculate she was faking her pregnancy.

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Abbie Holborn

The longest lasting housemate from the prolific Radgie Rampage series, Abbie Holborn initially set her sights on Love Island's Sam Gowland before he got together with Chloe.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Abbie Holborn

Abbie wasn't in the promo for series 19, but denied she'd been sacked when she took to Twitter to say, "Oh, I've been sacked apparently..."She later turned up a caused a stir by snogging new boy Beau Brennan, who'd been getting close to new girl Bethan Kershaw.

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Elettra Lambourghini

Quite frankly, we couldn't understand why Elettra ACTUAL Lamborghini, heiress to the actual Italian car business, was even in Newcastle in the first place.

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CREDIT: Getty

Elettra Lamborghini

Elettra has returned to Italy to pursue her one true dream of becoming a popstar.

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CREDIT: Getty

Eve Shannon

As part of a fresh line up of cast members for the Radgie Rampage series for 2017, Eve Shannon broke the mould with BLONDE HAIR (shocker)

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CREDIT: Instagram

Eve Shannon

Eve had been living her best Insta-influencer life and posting plenty of sexy lingerie selfies on her social feeds. She's also got an Only Fans account, favourited by fellow G Shore alumni Holly Hagan.

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CREDIT: MTV

Billy Phillips

Brought on for the same season, Billy Phillips didn't make enough of an impression and was axed from the show after just one series.

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Billy Phillips

Still doing the rounds as a lad about 'toon, Billy looks to have settled down with a nice Geordie lass. Hiscousin Nat has joined the show for series 19.

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CREDIT: Getty

Chelsea Barber

Also to leave was Chelsea Barber, who fell out with long time pal Marnie Simpson in the house over Aaron Chalmers.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Chelsea Barber

Chelsea dated Kyle Christie long before either of them joined the G Shore cast, and claimed that after his split from Holly Hagan he was right back in touch.

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Sam Bentham

One Radge Academy to make the cut slightly longer term was Sam Bentham, who reportedly dated Charlotte Crosby way back in 2014 after meeting at one of the infamous Geordie Shore house parties.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Sam Bentham

Now heavily tattooed, Sam has put his reality TV past behind him and opened up a trendy barber shop in his native Hoults in Newcastle, and has styled the hair of Kyle Christie and Marty McKenna.

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CREDIT: MTV

Sarah Goodhart

Sarah Goodhart was enrolled into the Radge Academy thanks to her links to Marty McKenna. The two dated as teenagers, and sparks instantly few between her and Marty's current squeeze Chloe Ferry.

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CREDIT: Youtube

Sarah Goodhart

Sarah now has 23k subscribers to her YouTube channel, where she makes honest, emotional videos about her time on Geordie Shore. Recently she uploaded an 18 minute one where she claimed producers had manipulated and taken advantage of her, leading her to quit her job before she was made permanent.

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CREDIT: MTV

Zahida Allen

Zahida Allen entered the Geordie Shore house fresh from the more exotic coastlines of Ex on the Beach, claiming she had 'unfinished business' with Gaz Beadle.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Zahida Allen

Zahida was reportedly dropped from Geordie Shore after she failed to act upon her 'unfinished business' wit Gaz, leaving producers disappointed.

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CREDIT: MTV

Grant Molloy

The casting of Grant Molloy was contentious from the very beginning, after Chloe Ferry threw a tantrum demanding he was removed after hearing bad things about him from friends on the 'toon. It was especially awkward when he made firm friends with Chloe's boyfriend, Sam Gowland.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Grant Molloy

After just one series on Geordie Shore, Grant returned to focusing on his two true loves – playing rugby and getting lots of tattoos.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Alex MacPherson

Another day, another Geordie shake up. For series 17 the cast moved over to Australia's Golden coast. Alex MacPherson was the long haired adonis who quickly hooked up with G Shore LEDGE Sophie Kasaei.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Alex MacPherson

Other than spending lots of time in the gym, Alex has clearly been missing his Geordie besties as he's been posting plenty of throwback pics to his instagram.

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Chrysten Zenoni

Bikini model Chrysten Zenoni quickly caught the eye of the lads and ruffled more than a few feathers with the girls – man handling Sam's crown jewels as well as claiming she slept with former cast member Gary Beadle while he was on a promotional tour in Oz and still together with Lillie Lexie Gregg.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Chrysten Zenoni

Chrysten is still modeling swimwear on the Sunshine Coast, and not long after appearing on Geordie Shore joined the cast of Ex on the Beach, where she revealed she'd also had a fling with reality TV's biggest lothario, Stephen Bear.

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CREDIT: Getty

Dee Nygen

Smiley smiley pole dancer Dee Nygen made no secret of her desire to "get a shag" in the house. She made a beeline for Adam Guthrie when he came into the house midway through the season, who later branded her "easy" – charming.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Dee Nygen

Super fit Dee has recently taken part in grueling reality show The Challenge: War of the Worlds alongside Bear and Love Island's Georgia Harrison.

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CREDIT: MTV

Nick Murdoch

Nick boasted about the fact that he'd dumped his girlfriend by text the night before filming started because he didn't want to cheat on her, and then threw a tantrum when Chloe Ferry and Sam Gowland wanted the shag pad after not seeing each other for days.

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CREDIT: MTV

Nick Murdoch

Perhaps embarrassed by his stint on the show, Nick's chosen to shun the Australian limelight and has set his social profiles to PRIVATE, which is unheard of in reality TV world.

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CREDIT: MTV

Adam Guthrie

Adam Guthrie entered the house halfway through the Gold Coast series, despite being a bona fide Geordie through and through.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Adam Guthrie

Adam has been enjoying the raised profile of being on G Shore by posting lots of pouty selfies. He returned in series 19 as a part timer.

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CREDIT: MTV

Faith Mullen

Producers decided to shake things up with Faith Mullen, a plus-sized influencer and Christian who believes sex before marriage is a sin.

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CREDIT: MTV

Faith Mullen

Faith was originally billed to return to the show part time but declined to come back after producers hired her arch nemesis. In the mean time, she's been doing what all youths should be doing and living her best life on holiday with her mates.

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Dan Osborne: ‘I want to be the best husband and dad I can be’

After admitting to “making mistakes” in his marriage to Jacqueline Jossa, Dan Osborne says that he and the I’m A Celeb! Jungle Queen have put things behind them now and are focusing on family life.

“I’ve made mistakes, yeah. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have done. Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me,” the former TOWIE star revealed last year.

Dan has been forced to defend himself against cheating rumours over the years. Most notably the 29 year old was accused of hooking up with Love Island star Gabby Allen in 2018, something they both denied.

Dan and former EastEnders actress Jac married in 2017 and share daughters Ella, six, and Mia, two. Dan’s also dad to Teddy, seven, with his ex, Megan Tomlin.

He’s since spoken of how grateful he is that he and Jac have moved on from the past, insisting, “I’m the luckiest man in the world to have what I have with Jacqueline and my three incredible children, and I will spend the rest of my life being the best husband and dad I can be.”

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