Pete Evans looks years older in new photo

After being forced off social media, controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans has resurfaced online sporting a new scruffier look.

After being booted off Facebook and Instagram for repeatedly sharing “debunked claims” about COVID-19 and vaccinations, Pete Evans has resurfaced online sporting a new, much scruffier look.

The controversial celebrity chef, once polished and squeaky clean, looked like a shadow of his former self in a photo of himself and his mother, Joy, taking a stroll through the wilderness.

In the selfie, uploaded to Telegram, the 48-year-old sported deep wrinkles around his eyes and on his forehead, alongside a grey-tinged beard and weathered complexion.

Evans, who has frequently advocated against wearing SPF sunscreen, wrote in the caption that he’d just finished hosting a wellness retreat in Byron Bay, NSW.

“Great weekend at the evolve sanctuary for our third retreat. Our beautiful Mum (Joy) came along to experience it also,” the former My Kitchen Rules judge said.

RELATED: Evans’ million dollar Byron gamble

After being forced off social media, controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans has resurfaced online sporting a new scruffier look. Picture: Telegram

The 48-year-old looked decades older than his once polished self. Picture: Channel 7

Once one of Australia’s most beloved restaurateurs, Evans quit his television career this time last year, effectively marking his break from the mainstream after steadily increasing his support for conspiracy theories and non-scientific beliefs.

His fall from grace since has been swift – the father-of-two was booted off Facebook and Instagram in recent months for sharing misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, and dropped by 15 sponsors and companies in the space of 48 hours last November after posting a meme featuring a neo-Nazi symbol to his social media.

Evans, who now resides in Pottsville near Byron Bay in northern NSW, is also reportedly facing his second investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), just over a year after he was fined more than $25,000 by them.

Last April, the $15,000 “BioCharger” device was investigated by the TGA after the divisive anti-vaxxer spruiked it to his Facebook followers, declaring the product could treat a range of ailments, including COVID-19.

RELATED: Colin Fassnidge confirms huge Pete Evans rumour

Evans during a protest against mandatory vaccinations in Sydney’s Hyde Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The investigation led to Evans’ company being issued two fines totalling $25,200. The TGA stated at the time that it was “monitoring noncompliance, particularly in relation to the advertising of products that claim to prevent or cure COVID-19 and will continue to take action to any advertisements that do not meet the requirements, including those that seek to mislead consumers”.

Sources told TV Blackbox that the new investigation into Evans is not related to any COVID-19 products, “but other therapeutic items he has been but shouldn’t be advertising”.

According to the outlet, Evans does not yet know he’s being investigated.

A TGA spokesman told news.com.au it “does not provide comment on compliance matters”.