Former Calvin Klein underwear model Travis Fimmel gets a hairy makeover as he takes on new role in TV series Vikings

He was once the long-haired Adonis who graced billboards in nothing more than a pair of pants.
But former Calvin Klein model Travis Fimmel looks worlds away from his former appearance in new TV show Vikings.
The 33-year-old Australian has been given a hairy makeover to take on the role of shield-wielding Ragnar Lothbrok in the new MGM programme.

Transformation: Former Calvin Klein model Travis Fimmel has taken on a new role in TV series The Vikings

 
Travis' formerly flowing blond locks have been replaced by a shorter, tousled crop, while his baby-face is long gone - replaced with a hairy beard.
The show, which airs on The History Channel, saw Travis film in Ireland, and follows the adventures of Ragnar, who was an actual historical figure.
But one thing the actor certainly won't be doing is shedding his shirt to show off his model physique in the show.

Worlds apart: A bearded Fimmel as he looks now (left) and back in his CK modelling days

In fact, Travis admitted in a recent interview that he is so out of shape, he insisted on wearing his shirt at all times to retain his modesty.
Speaking about the show's intense fight scenes, Travis told Collider.com: ' I’m actually not that fit, which is why I have my shirt on, all the time. The stunt guys are amazing.

'They choreograph stuff, so they made it really easy for the actors to do all of the action stuff. We just learned it on set.

Heartthrob: The baby-faced model achieved worldwide fame with his CK billboards back in the day

'There are a lot of fighting scenes in the series, and we had a great swordsman that showed us a lot of different styles of fighting. We all took in our own style. It was very fun, and it’s great when you don’t have to remember lines, so I really enjoyed the action stuff.
'I got the job a week before we went to Ireland, so I didn’t have time to do all of the training that the others did.'
Vikings won't be Travis's first foray into acting by any means, as he has previously starred in a revamped version of Tarzan and short-lived TV series Jerry Bruckheimer's Chase.