Top Boy star Ashley Walters unveils his INCREDIBLE six-month body transformation ahead of filming for second series of Netflix hit

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Ashley Walters unveiled his six-month body transformation in a series of Instagram snaps shared onto his account on Wednesday.

The actor and musician, 37, went shirtless to display his toned upper body and impressive six-pack as he documented his fitness journey, months before returning to film the second edition of Netflix's Top Boy.

Dushane actor Ashley captioned the collage, 'the journey ends when you do. #alwayswinning' [sic], as he revealed he was encouraged to embark on a lifestyle overhaul after 'letting himself go'.

Before and after: Ashley Walters unveiled his six-month body transformation in a series of Instagram snaps shared onto his account on Wednesday (L last year, R in January)

In a recent interview with Men's Health, the screen star said he was required to train for his role as NCA detective Ronnie in Sky One crime drama Bulletproof, but took a break from his fitness schedule ahead of filming for the first series of the Top Boy's revived edition.

The Peckham native told the publication: 'I turned 30 a few years ago, and I realised my metabolism wasn't the same as before. Gradually I put on a lot of weight, but ideally my character in Top Boy let himself go in the beginning. 

'I was doing Bulletproof before and I was training so hard, but three months before Top Boy I started to shoot Top Boy, I gained so much weight. I stuck to a lot of bad eating habits.'

Ashley - who has been teetotal for seven months - insisted he now 'loves' going to the gym as he credited his routine to becoming a 'calmer person'.

 

Training with a purpose: The actor and musician, 37, is set to return to film the second edition of Netflix's Top Boy

'The journey ends when you do': The Dushane actor went shirtless to display his toned upper body and impressive six-pack as he documented his fitness journey

On his grind: Asher D pictured in January during a gym session with personal trainer Marcelo Monaco (pictured)

'I was training so hard': The screen star said he was required to train for his role as NCA detective Ronnie in Sky One crime drama Bulletproof (pictured last year with Noel Clarke)

Mirrored lives: He took break from his fitness regime ahead of filming for the first series of the Top Boy, which worked in his favour as his character also 'let himself go' (pictured)

Focused: Ashley - who has been teetotal for seven months - insisted he now 'loves' going to the gym as he credited his routine to becoming a 'calmer person'

The So Solid Crew artist added: 'I spent the last six months grinding and working so hard, it's been painful. Now I'm in a comfortable zone where I can train in a relaxed state, and I don't feel too pressured to feel hard.' 

Last month, Netflix revealed hit series Top Boy, starring the likes of Ashley as leading character Dushane and 2020 EE BAFTA Rising Star recipient Micheal Ward as Jamie, will begin filming this spring.

The production company revived the hit show late last year after Channel 4 decided to cancel the first two series, which originally aired in 2011 and 2013.

Exciting times ahead: Last month, Netflix revealed hit series Top Boy will begin filming this spring (Kano pictured as Sully and Ashley Walters as Dushane on the show)

Netflix wrote on its Facebook page: 'Confirmed: Season 2 of Top Boy is happening. Dushane, Sully, Jamie and Shelley will return. Stay tuned.'

The post also featured a picture of a script for the first episode, titled Killing No Murder by screenwriter Ronan Bennett. 

The programme's Twitter account added: 'We’re back. TOP BOY Season 2 begins filming this spring. @ashleywalters, @therealkano, @michealward and @littlesimz will return as Dushane, Sully, Jamie and Shelley. Stay tuned.'

Award-winning actor Micheal, 21, shared his delight at reprising his character - who was sent to prison at the end of the last series - as he said on Instagram: 'If you don’t know, now you knowwwww............... 

It's back! The production company revived the hit show late last year after Channel 4 decided to cancel the first two series (2020 EE BAFTA Rising Star recipient Micheal Ward as Jamie)

'Coming soon': The streaming service revealed the crime drama series took to Facebook to reveal the show will begin filming this spring

'Now you know!' Actor Michael, 21, (centre), who plays Jamie on the drama, shared his delight at the upcoming series (pictured with on-screen brothers, Hope Ikpoku Jnr as Aaron and Araloyin Oshunremi as Stefan)

'so happy I can finally share with you that we’ve been confirmed for another season and I cannot wait to start filming this for all of us. This is gonna be even more special than the first.' [sic] 

Just weeks after its release in September 2019, Toy Boy became one of Netflix's most-watched shows.

Taking to their social media account at the time, the platform announced the news: 'Top Boy is living up to its name – after years away from our screens it’s back, and it’s been the most-watched title on @NetflixUK this week.'

The drama follows the story of Dushane and Sully (Kano), who lead East London's underground drug scene. 

Impressive: Just weeks after its release in September 2019, Toy Boy became one of Netflix's most-watched shows

In season two, Top Boy introduced two junkies called Lee (Josef Altin) and Sarah (Isla Jackson-Ritchie), who were seen gaining the trust of their dealers.

However, the finale showed the duo being unveiled as undercover cops, before Top Boy's official Twitter shared a video of the clues that led to the shock moment - leaving fans in absolute bewilderment. 

The duo suffered a few mishaps along the way, which proved that there was something more to their characters.

On one occasion, Sarah pretends to be drunk after chucking away some alcohol while walking through a council estate. 

Shocking: However, the finale showed two junkies called Lee (Josef Altin) and Sarah (Isla Jackson-Ritchie) unveiled as undercover cops

In another scene, Lee ponders out loud 'how long they have to keep this up for' after being punched in the face. 

It's only during the final scene, when they are seen sitting in the police station, where viewers realise they are undercover cops hoping to lock away Dushane and Sully. 

Executive producer and chart-topping rapper Drake revealed he was inspired to work on the series after stumbling across the show in 2017.

The artist told the Hollywood Reporter at the time: 'That human element drew me in.   

'I started just looking them up. Like, who are these people? Are these actors I should know? Are they just famous over there? I remember I hit Future, and I was just like, "This show is incredible."'

'That human element drew me in': Executive producer and rapper Drake revealed he was inspired to work on the series after stumbling across the show in 2017 (pictured last year)