Nativity! stars now - completely unrecognisable, BGT finalist and horror brain surgery

Prepare to feel old as the children from the Christmas classic Nativity! are all grown up.

The first of these beloved holiday films, featuring Martin Freeman as teacher Mr Maddens, was released over a decade ago in November 2009.

The film turned into a festive franchise, with the quartet of films boasting an impressive line-up of British acting talent, including David Tennant, Ashley Jensen, Joanna Page, Jason Watkins, Catherine Tate, Ruth Jones - and even some hilarious cameos from Alan Carr and Craig Revel Horwood.

However, the real stars of the movies are the pupils of St Bernadette's Primary School, who were practically infants when the first film premiered.

The young actors who graced our screens have since moved on to bigger and better things, impressing us on Britain's Got Talent and even rubbing shoulders with Hollywood A-listers.

Here, Express.co.uk has taken a look at what happened to the kids from the films.

Ben Wilby - Bob

Ben Wilby starred as Bob, the most hilarious of all the Nativity! kids. He stole the show with his incredible dance moves and laugh out loud one-liners.

From the age of seven, the burgeoning actor captured hearts in the first Nativity! film and continued to shine through its subsequent sequels.

Ben defied the odds to land the role, despite doctors warning his parents he may never walk or talk after brain surgery. The actor was diagnosed with craniosynostosis at just two-years-old, enduring a grueling nine-hour operation to decompress his brain.

Jill, his mother, concealed her son's medical struggles while he dazzled on the silver screen, stating: "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."

Still proudly sporting his battle scars, Ben dedicates time as a patron for two charities significant to him.

This rising star's acting prowess saw him scouted by an agency, subsequently sharing the set with John Bishop and Cheryl Cole among others.

In a charming encounter in 2014, the Nativity! star wittingly engaged Cameron Diaz in light-hearted banter when he quipped: "I've lost my number, so can I have yours?"

Beyond the silver screen, Ben has graced television, appearing on talk shows like This Morning and Lorraine, and adding credits such as Father Brown (2018) and Cuckoo to his repertoire.

Last year, Staffordshire-born Ben, now 22, stunned Amanda Holden and her Heart Radio colleagues with his latest cameo when he auditioned for Heart's Big Christmas Show.

She squealed: "Wait, OMG," as he said: "It's me, Bob from Nativity!"

He then burst into song, chanting the lyrics: "She's the brightest star I've ever seen, brightest star."

Krista Hyatt - Becky

Before landing the role of Becky in Nativity! Krista Hyatt had already made a name for herself by reaching the Britain's Got Talent final.

At just nine-years-old, Krista formed one half of the duo Cheeky Monkeys alongside her best mate Charlie Dixon.

The adorable pair captured the hearts of the judges during their 2008 audition and were propelled into the live final thanks to public votes. In January 2009, they jetted off to the Big Apple to feature on Maury Povich's World's Most Talented Kids on NBC.

Charlie also appeared in Nativity!, albeit in a smaller part as a student from the upscale Oakmoor school.

But in 2011, it was sadly announced by their mothers that the dance partnership had come to an end.

"Krista is still dancing but they don't perform together now," her mother Lisa disclosed to the Lancashire Telegraph. "She was fearless on the show but she has gone a bit shy now she's at high school."

Now, 24-year-old Krista, who is studying professional dance, looks completely unrecognisable.

Jake Pratt - Alfie

Jake Pratt played Alfie, the spikey-haired character who was longing to play Joseph, even getting into a brawl when he missed out on the part.

The actor, who only featured in the first film, was another Nativity! star with Britain's Got Talent history.

At the age of 10, Jake performed a comedic stand-up routine for Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Piers Morgan in the show's inaugural season, concluding with a rendition of Liza Minnelli's 'Life is a Cabaret' that saw him advance.

Despite initially being eliminated before the live shows, the judges reversed their decision, giving Jake a last-minute entry. His semi-final performance didn't go as planned, with Simon buzzing him off, and he failed to make it to the final.

Jake has since 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 got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Olivia in October.

Cadi Mullane - Crystal

Cadi Mullane was the star of the show during the first Nativity! film.

The young actress played Crystal during her school summer holidays after being spotted by an agency looking for chatty kids who could sing and dance.

The Welsh star turned eight when she was on set and Martin Freeman reportedly sang happy birthday to her.

Cadi, who turned 24 this year, graduated from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

She has also become a bit of a TikTok star, posting videos where she discusses her time in Nativity!.

The actress revealed that they "filmed for the whole summer holidays" and the script was mostly improvised by the kids.

Sydney Isitt-Ager - Sadie

Nativity! was truly a family affair, with actress Sydney Isitt-Ager being the daughter of Debbie Isitt, who penned and directed all four films.

Sadie was the concerned little girl who had a very emotional heart-to-heart with Martin Freeman's Mr Maddens about stage fright.

In 2021, Sydney was running a beauty business around lashes and make-up and was performing dance training at a theatre school.

Sydney is still acting, and you can catch her in the Netflix film Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, released in 2022. She has also performed in Nativity the Musical as well as the I Should Be So Lucky Musical.

The star is now unrecognisable, having ditched her blonde locks in favour of a fiery red tresses.

Tom McGarrity - Zack

Tom McGarrity played Zack, the young heartthrob likened to Zac Efron by Mr Poppy, who wowed with his striking black shirt and long blue tie ensemble.

Actor Tom McGarrity has continued his performing career while globetrotting on cruise ships.

The Nativity! star participated in pantomime shows, deck parties and enjoyed numerous beach outings.

Tom has journeyed around much of the world over recent years, from Australia to South Africa. He is currently Cruise Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

The former child star proposed to his partner Jessica in August 2023 and the couple tied the knot earlier this year.