Unrecognisable Nativity! kids now - from BGT finalist to Cameron Diaz flirt
It's been 14 years since Nativity! was released and it's safe to say the angel-faced cast has well and truly grown up.
The heartwarming Christmas film, starring Martin Freeman as grumpy teacher Mr Maddens, is still a must-watch festive movie in households across the country. The pupils of St Bernadette's Primary School were practically babies when the first film hit screens.
In the last decade, many of them have gone on to bigger and better things, impressing us on Britain's Got Talent and even interviewing Hollywood A-listers. Many of them have become TikTok famous and like to update fans with their career milestones. Here, we take a look at where they are today.
Ben Wilby - Bob
Bob was a fan favourite in the film (BPM)
Ben was just seven when he starred in the filmThe most memorable of all the Nativity! kids, Bob definitely stole the show with his amazing dance moves and laugh out loud one liners. Everyone remembers the iconic scene where Bob started break dancing in a bid to get to Hollywood and the hilarious bits of facial hair that were drawn on his face.
Actor Ben Wilby, now 21, defied the odds to get the role as doctors warned his parents may never walk or talk after brain surgery. When he was just two-years-old, Ben was diagnosed with craniosynostosis and underwent a complex nine-hour operation to relieve pressure on his brain.
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Ben joined a dance school to improve the strength in his legs and went on to win many trophies, including European Freestyle Champion. The young actor was just seven-years-old when he saw off competition from 500 youngsters to star in the first movie and he went on to appear in the next two sequels.
Proud mum Jill, who deliberately kept his health problems quiet when he landed his big screen break, said: "I didn’t want people to feel sorry for him or think he only got a part because of what he's been through. Ben's success is all down to his own hard work and ability."
Ben interviewed Cameron Diaz (Yahoo!)Ben has became a patron of two charities: Clowns in the Sky, for children with brain tumours, and StrokeInformation. The talented actor was snapped up by an agent and landed roles on TV and in advertisements – working with the likes of John Bishop and Cheryl Cole.
And in 2014 the Nativity! star chatted up Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz during an interview, then cheekily asked: "I've lost my number, so can I have yours?" His mum explained: "He said that if he couldn't ask her out on a date he would ask for her number instead. He is a bit of a smoothie and likes the ladies. He said he enjoyed interviewing Cameron as she was great fun."
He's been interviewed on This Morning and Lorraine, appeared in TV series Father Brown in 2018 and Cuckoo and is now studying at drama school Emil Dale Academy. Ben has also become a Tik Tok sensation - frequently posting videos about his role in the film to is 80,000 followers.
Cadi Mullane - Crystal
Cadi played Crystal the starCadi Mullane was quite literally the star of the show in the first Nativity! film - as her character Crystal played the star. The young actress was spotted by an agency looking for chatty kids who could sing and dance and filmed her scenes during the school holidays. The Welsh star turned eight when she was on set - and one of her favourite memories is Martin Freeman singing happy birthday to her.
Cadi is now a TikTok star (cadicinnamon/Instagram)Cadi, who is now 23, performs in musical theatre and frequently posts videos on social media, where she discusses her time in Nativity!. Cadi revealed that they "filmed for the whole summer holidays" and the script was mostly improvised by the kids. Those that didn't live in Coventry where it was filmed got to stay in a big hotel together, which she says "was like The Suite Life of Zac and Cody". Apparently the cast do not keep in regular contact anymore but follow each other on social media.
Jake Pratt - Alfie
Jake made a name for himself on BGT (Talkback Thames)Spikey-haired Alfie wanted the part of Joseph and got into a big fight with another pupil when he didn't get the coveted role. Actor Jake Pratt, who is from Scarborough, only appeared in the first film, but he had already found fame on our TV screens. When he was 10 years old, Jake took part in the very first series of Britain's Got Talent as a comedian.
Jake auditioned for judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan and received very good feedback. His hilarious stand-up comedy routine, which ended with him singing Liza Minnelli's 'Life is a Cabaret', got him through to the next round.
Jake looks completely different now (jakespratt96/Instagram)Initially he was kicked out before the live shows, but the judges made a massive U-turn and put him through at the last minute in a sensational twist. However, his semi-final performance didn't go to plan as Simon buzzed him off and he failed to make it to the final.
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Jake has gone on to star in West End shows, including Billy Elliot and Matilda the Musical, while providing voiceovers on CBeebies and Disney cartoons. The former child actor, who is now 27, graduated from Leeds university in 2018.
Krista Hyatt - Becky
Krista played Becky in the filmBefore playing the role of Becky in Nativity!, adorable Krista Hyatt made it all the way to the Britain's Got Talent final. Then aged nine, Krista was part of a duo called Cheeky Monkeys with her best pal, Charlie Dixon. Amazingly, Charlie was also in the film in a more minor role as a pupil from posh rival school Oakmoor.
The pair melted the judges' hearts when they auditioned in 2008 and got voted into the live final by the public. In January 2009 they went to New York to appear on Maury Povich's World's Most Talented Kids on NBC. However, in 2011 their mums revealed the sad news that the dance duo had decided to split.
The Cheeky Monkeys were a big hit on BGT (Daily Mirror)
Krista is now studying professional dance (Instagram)"Krista is still dancing but they don't perform together now," her mum Lisa told the Lancashire Telegraph "She was fearless on the show but she has gone a bit shy now she's at high school." Now 23 years old, Krista is studying professional dance and has dyed her hair blonde so looks drastically different to her character.
Tom McGarrity- Zack
Zack wore that fetching tieZack was the young hearthrob who was compared to his namesake Zac Efron by Mr Poppy. He dazzled us with that incredible black shirt and long blue tie combo. Actor Tom McGarrity has carried on performing while travelling the world on cruise ships and performing with Mirage Shows.
Tom has sailed around the world and visited Australia (tommcgarrity96/Instagram)The Nativity! star took part in pantomime shows, deck parties and had a whole lot of fun on a lot of beaches. Tom has sailed around most of the globe, from Australia to South Africa, over the last few years but is now back with his family in the UK. Tom has sailed around most of the globe, from Australia to South Africa, over the last few years but is now back with his family in the UK. Now 29 years old, the actor also recently did a season performing at Birchington Vale Holiday Park in Kent.
Sydney Isitt-Ager - Sadie
Sadie has a heartwarming scene with Martin Freeman (BBC)Sadie was the terrified little girl who had a very emotional heart-to-heart with Martin Freeman's Mr Maddens about stage fright. While Sadie felt too shy to perform in the show, it's a very different story for actress Sydney Isitt-Ager.
Syndey is now an actor and musical theatre star (Instagram/sydneyisitt_ager)Nativity! was definitely a family film as Sydney is the daughter of Debbie Isitt, who wrote and directed all four of the movies. Sydney, who is now 24, is a musical theatre performer and actor, having taken part in Nativity! the Musical, So Lucky Musical and Netflix's Mistletoe Farm.
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