Original Teletubbies baby has made a drastic career change since days as child actor

Remember the Teletubbies baby who appeared as the sun in the sky?

Those who ever watched Teletubbies as a kid will remember the iconic laugh and beaming smile, as the sun baby looked down on Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa, and Po in Tubby land.

Now, 25 years on from when the show first started way back in 1997, the baby star is totally unrecognisable and has a very different career path.

Jess Smith was first cast in the role when she was spotted by producers while being weighed in hospital.

Speaking to BBC about how she bagged the role as a baby, Jess explained in 2017: "I was being weighed at the hospital. My mum took me and it just happened to be the same time that the producer of the old series had come in and wanted the hospital to get in contact with them if they'd seen any smiley babies."

She later added: “While recording my dad held a teddy bear behind the camera to get me to laugh, and rolled a toy racing car to get me to look down at the camera, and it obviously worked.”

Now, Jess has stepped away from acting and works in security.

She also said she has plans to travel and 'see more parts of the world, before settling down and starting a family'.

Jess also explained that she doesn't remember much from filming, adding: "Unfortunately I don't remember anything from the original filming. I've been told I was placed in front of a mirror and was laughing at myself.

"I was put in a high chair, and my dad was playing with toy cars on the ground to make me look down. I think we were there for about half a day taking different shots and angles!"

Jess said that while people don't often recognise her anymore, once they know she played the iconic baby, they can see the resemblance.

She also added that she doesn't regret taking on the role and is glad her parents signed her up for it.

"I'm glad my parents put me forward for the role," she said.

"It's become such a big part of my life, and I wouldn't want it any other way."