Fans shocked at Jason Statham’s Team GB past as he looks unrecognisable

Film buffs and sporting aficionados have been left equally as bemused and shocked after finding out about Hollywood actor Jason Statham's previous career.

He's an industry hardman known for his no-nonsense roles across numerous action films since the turn of the millennium, turning him in to a household name and as close to a sure thing as you can get when it comes to making a profit at the box office.

But the Englishman's career on the silver screen wasn't his passion during his younger years, and it's left people wide-eyed once they put two and two together.

Years before the 57-year-old starred in the Fast & Furious franchise, his eyes were set firmly on a different prize.

And that prize was gold medals; both Commonwealth and Olympic.

Growing up with Vinnie Jones, who has also swapped an initial career for a life in acting, Statham developed a passion for diving.

By the age of 12, he become part of the National Swimming Squad for Great Britain.

Fast-forward 11 years to the 1990 Commonwealth Games and Statham, then aged 23, was representing England across three disciplines; the 10, three, and one metre diving competitions.

The games were held in Auckland, New Zealand, where Statham unfortunately came home empty handed.

And unlike Tom Daley or his Team GB teammate Jack Laugher, his passion for diving never saw him reach the Olympics.

"It’s a bit of a sore point I never got to the Olympics," Statham previously said on the issue.

"I just heard they got seven million or something for the diving per year. They deserve it. The divers we’ve got now are just terrific.

"I started too late. It probably wasn’t my thing. I should have done a different sport."

Soon after his diving career, Statham entered the world of modelling, being signed to top brands such as Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, and French Connection.

It was through his work for French Connection that he met Guy Ritchie, who cast him in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The rest, you could say, is history when it comes to his life in Hollywood.

Footage of Statham's diving career has gone viral on social media, with X users (formerly Twitter) shocked to see him competing - and also seeing him with hair.

"Damn, that was a long time ago, but he's always been a badass," one person said.

Another wrote: "I had no idea he has this life before Hollywood."

And a third posted: "Wow, bro had a full head of hair back then. Looks like a whole different person."

Statham famously used his diving skills and experience to save his own life after a near fatal accident while filming one of his movies.