Happy Valley SPOILER: Tommy Lee Royce has his beard and hair shaved ahead of court appearance

It’s the crime drama that has the country hooked every Sunday night.

And Happy Valley have released a first look at the next upcoming episode to air on BBC One – which shows James Norton’s character getting ready for a court appearance.

The actor, 37, plays villainous murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce in the drama who grows long locks while in prison. 

Teaser: Happy Valley have released a first look at the next upcoming episode to air on BBC One – which shows James Norton’s character getting ready for a court appearance

But in Sunday’s instalment shows prison staff cutting his hair and beard to smarten him up for an important day in court.

Tommy goes topless as he is given an image overhaul while showing off his muscly arms and physique. 

In the second image he looks much more presentable with a clean-shaven face and shorter locks.  

Change: Sunday’s instalment shows prison staff cutting his hair and beard to smarten him up for an important day in court

It comes after last week James revealed that he loved his Happy Valley character’s long hair and ‘Messiah’ look while filming the last series of the drama.

He told how he liked the look and often found himself in the mousse section of Boots buying products and having lots of ‘Pantene moments’ on set.

Speaking on The Graham Norton Show he said: ‘Director Sally Wainwright knows the look she wants for him, and it is bold. 

Scary: The actor, 37, plays villainous murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce in the drama who grows long locks while in prison

‘I loved having long hair – it was fun, and I found myself hanging out in the mousse section of Boots. I also have a weird number of clips of me and ‘Pantene’ moments!’

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Talking about the final series of Happy Valley and the great response it has had he added: ‘It is a huge relief that people like it – after seven years there was no guarantee that anyone would want to see it.’

Asked if he will miss playing Tommy he said: ‘He is a despicable monster, but he became really enticing, a sort of weird distant friend that you love seeing. 

‘I loved playing him and I miss him and the show.’

Funny: It comes after last week James revealed that he loved his Happy Valley character’s long hair and ‘Messiah’ look while filming the last series of the drama 

Filming for the much-anticipated third and final series got underway early last year following a six-year hiatus.

In October, BBC confirmed a third season of the hit show would be on its way, and that it would be its last.

The final season follows Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) as she investigates a gangland murder that leads her back to Tommy, and her struggle to end the drug supply in the valley. 

Different: Speaking on The Graham Norton Show he said: ‘I loved having long hair – it was fun, and I found myself hanging out in the mousse section of Boots’

James previously said of reprising his role as Tommy: ‘To take on Tommy one final time is a wonderful and daunting privilege, and something I’ve been looking forward to since we wrapped the last series, six years ago.’

Happy Valley was a big hit with audiences after first airing in 2014, winning a BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series, with a follow-up second series in 2016. 

And while the role catapulted James to fame, he may have played it a little too convincingly – with many sending the actor letters of hate for his characters actions.

In 2017 the London-based actor revealed he received death threats for his role in Happy Valley, as some viewers were so frightened by his portrayal. 

Success: Happy Valley was a big hit with audiences after first airing in 2014, winning a BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series, with a follow-up second series in 2016 (Sarah Lancashire pictured in her lead role)