BBC sitcom Not Going Out returned for a ninth series last night – and although many fans were glad to see Lee Mack and company back, many just could not process one noticeable change for a cast member.
Sally Bretton, who plays Lucy, has had her hair cut into a short pixie crop and for some viewers that was almost enough to convince them her role had been recast with another actress.
Is that the same Lucy?…. #NotGoingOut
— flettybetty (@ciranna) March 8, 2018
#Notgoingout I thought that was the new housekeeper… until Lucy spoke… I did not recognise her at all!
— JoHackSmith (@Johacksmith) March 8, 2018
Read more: DIY SOS viewers furious about treatment of hero cop paralysed by Westminster terror attack
To confirm, the change in her appearance did actually make her look different. Shocker, eh?
Lucy looks total different with that hair on #NotGoingOut
— Barry M (@BarryMeps) March 8, 2018
Wow I hardly recognised Lucy!
#NotGoingOut— shana ✨ (@shanaskimming_) March 8, 2018
Some noted a likeness to Emma Willis, who does indeed have a not entirely dissimilar hairstyle.
Why does #Lucy in #NotGoingOut look like @EmmaWillis now she’s gone short hair and brunette x
— Jayne Murray (@jayne_murray) March 8, 2018
What’s Sally Bretton done to her hair??? She’s gone for the Emma Willis look hasn’t she?? #NotGoingOut
— Kev Rutherford (@kev4815162342) March 8, 2018
Lucy suits her short hair. Reminds a little of Emma Willis.#NotGoingOut
— MaisyMooCow (@MaisyMooCow) March 8, 2018
Lucy has gone all Emma Willis on us. She suits it.#notgoingout pic.twitter.com/uHr3A43Bjy
— MaisyMooCow (@MaisyMooCow) March 8, 2018
Other viewers, meanwhile, linked her new ‘do to part of the episode’s storyline that saw Lee Mack’s character use a lawnmower on his father-in-law’s synthetic lawn.
#NotGoingOut I think the lawnmower got to Lucy already 😂
— Clare Ellis (@ClarebearEllis) March 8, 2018
Cut the grass and stick it on your head Lucy… #notgoingout
— Jas Judge (@JasJudge) March 8, 2018
There were both positive verdicts and thumbs down on Twitter for her short locks, as well as comments from those that weren’t sure how to feel but still felt moved enough to express their ambivalence.
Not digging Lucy’s hair on #notgoingout – it looks like they’ve cast a third actress.
— Tony Bianchi (@Voltamax2020) March 8, 2018
Loving Sally Bretton’s hair #notgoingout
— Magso (@magso5) March 8, 2018
Oh my goodness Lucy looks amazing. Such a different look 💕#notgoingout
— Louise E. Lohman (@towngirl36) March 8, 2018
@NotGoingOut_Fan love the new series and Sally’s new hair style is fab
— sarah batchelor (@sarahbatch24) March 8, 2018
Yay #notgoingout is back!! Love the new hair #sallybretton @LeeMack @BBCOne
— Lisa M (@LittleLisa666) March 8, 2018
Loving the new series,one of my favourite programmes and it didnt disappoint,not sure on lucys new hair tho #NotGoingOut
— Natalie (@Natalie33301007) March 8, 2018
Not sure about lucy’s new look #notgoingout
— Vicky Cunningham (@vcunni72) March 8, 2018
I’m conflicted by lovely Lucy’s 😍 short hair. #notgoingout
— Bravo 1 Niner (@Bravo1Niner) March 8, 2018
And then, there were the other comments. The ‘overall ratings’ and ‘funnies’ linking short hair on a woman’s head to her gender and sexuality.
I think I decided I still find Lucy very hot😆😊#NotGoingOut
— JJ Malone (@JJ_Malone) March 8, 2018
#NotGoingOut wtf ..when did Lucy have a sex change??She looks like a boy
— gazzathebookie (@gazzathebookie) March 8, 2018
So Lee is now married to a little boy.
#NotGoingOut pic.twitter.com/GdM53aRRSr— Andy Davies (@andyse7en2000) March 8, 2018
Lee Mack gets slated for the old-fashioned gags, but it would still be best to leave the jokes to him, lads.
Read more: Brave One Born Every Minute midwife was diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy with first child
Not Going Out is on BBC One, Thursdays at 9pm.
What do you think of Sally’s new hairstyle? Head on over to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix to have your say.