2003 Entries
December 2003
CHRISTMAS IS HERE!! I'm actually writing this while sitting in the Green Room waiting to go on for my last scene before we break up for a two week Christmas break. I can't remember a time when I've been so excited!
Regular site visitors will know I always get a little giddy around Christmas anyway, but this year is proving even more so as it's the first time that the whole family is going to be together for the day for about 6 years. We are all really looking forward to it, and intend to spend it all together at the family home, dishing out presents and doubtlessly eating too much!!
The year which has gone has been absolutely brilliant, with me being lucky enough to have done a really good variation of mediums from stage to screen, and hopefully next year will equally challenging.
On the Corrie front, there's some really great storylines coming up involving Nick & Maria, Nick & Sarah/Todd and also dome dramatic stuff for in the factory. As ever I can't give too much away, but keep logged on into the New Year and I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I can.
Well that's about it for now as I'd better go and actually learn my lines for this scene. I hope you all have an unbelieveable Christmas and New Year, and that the new one brings you all endless happiness and joy. Until next time, keep safe and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
November 2003
In honesty since we last chatted there has only really been two things in my life, work and THE RUGBY WORLD CUP!! I won't bore the non-rugby enthusiasts, but suffice to say I have been following the whole tournament religiously and despite lacklustre performances to date, wish the England team every success and well wishes.
As usual work has been really busy, especially as we approach the Christmas filming episodes. It's been really weird turning up for work and filming what will be Christmas day in the middle of November, but suffice to say this has made me intoxicated with the festive spirit all the more early this year and I am already counting the days! (much to my parents' dismay!)
Storyline wise things have been ticking over nicely with the Nick - Maria - Candice triangle and also the Sarah - Todd issue. Although I don't want to spoil any surprises, suffice to say the run up to Noel will be anything but filled with Yuletide cheer!
I know that's not much of a diary but as I said every second of the day has been spent on set or glued to the television, so I promise for the next entry, when the World Cup has finished, I will have managed to create something a little more interesting for you!
October 2003
Summer's dead and finished, and as days get darker and damper, I start getting that Christmassy feeling (yes I am that sad!)
Filming has been really good of late, most of it centering on the Maria/Nick relationship. I won't give anything away except to say keep the tissues handy!
It's been kind of manic recently, because as well as filming, the Todd/Nick episode has been aired and for some reason the press have gone mad over it. I'm not sure it's anything truly ground breaking and really warrants all this public debate, but if it helps people's attitudes or even just provides good entertainment then I guess that's a good thing.
I wanted to take this chance to publically offer my deepest sympathies to Michelle over the death of her mother. She was a truly beautiful woman and spirit, and the strength and love she held for her family is something we should all aspire to. I know Michelle and her sister are strong enough to face all the testing times ahead of them and they will always be a credit to her memory. We are all thinking of you Michelle.
Well that's it for now, keep safe and smiling, and as ever thank you for all your messsages of support.
September 2003
Hope you are all well. Well I'm back and it's all kicking off with storylines and filming, so I thought I'd take this chance to quickly jot down the journal before I rush back on set.
I gather from all your e-mails that there is more than a little confusion regarding the storyline!!
To set the record straight, basically Nick returns to find Sarah and Todd living together and estranged from Gail. As time goes by he and Todd become friends until one night Todd makes a pass at Nick.
Nick doesn't reciprocate and is shocked that his sister's boyfriend should be doing this and demands that he be honest with Sarah. Although I don't want to give too much of the plot away, I will say that Nick's reaction and attitude to Todd, is not because Todd is gay but purely because of the effect this will have on Sarah, the sister he has been trying to protect and advise since his return.
In addition to this there is the continuing development of the relationship between Nick and Maria, and of Nick as the Alpha-Male in the Platt household.
I'm not quite sure when all this starts hitting the screen, but I'm sure Helen will let you know, as well as what press is appearing and where.
For me personally this has been a really great month, developing some really strong scenes and character pieces, and more than anything made really fun by the great time I am having with all the cast, just about the nicest bunch of people you could ask for!
Well I'd better dash back on set, so keep yourselves safe, and as ever thanks for all your messages of support, they really are appreciated.
August 2003
Well I'm back on the Street and have been filming now for about a week. It's been absolutely brilliant, firstly because of the chance to see all the old faces and meet the new ones (who are all lovely by the way) and catch up.
Secondly to get down to performing the great storylines we've managed to bash together. It's been kind of weird just stepping back into it, almost like going into a time warp, but seeing everyone like Helen Worth and Stephen Arnold, has really made it seamless.
The only downside has been the ungodly hours I've had to be getting up. Who knew the sun rose so late? I'm really not into the groove of early mornings yet, especially having just done the late nights of theatre....but I'm sure it will all come back to me, like I have a choice.
I'm not sure how much of the storylines I can leak to you this early but I can say Nick walks straight back into a family feud between Sarah and Gail over Bethany, which he feels he need to sort, as he now has to adopt the role of the man of the house, rather than the bane of his mothers life!!
I'll be sure to get Helen to keep you updated with all that's going to happen as well as the press and stuff, and hopefully I can get to speak to you all again soon.
July 2003
Well the clock is ticking to me beginning work on Corrie, in fact it's 1 and 1/2 weeks from when I'm writing this.
A lot of my time at present has been spent in discussions regarding this, as well as script meetings and discussions for one of the films I hope to start filming next year.
Sadly I can't divulge any secrets and besides I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, but be sure that I will comment when and as I can on the site.
Apart from all that, my Mum has had me around theirs for the last two weeks doing all the painting and DIY around the house that she can. I guess she's trying to cram it all in because she knows I'm gonna be pretty damn busy for the forseeable future. Oh the excitement of my life!!!
I'm also gonna try and cram in a quick holiday before I restart work, again because I don't think I'll get a chance of another one for a while. So I'm hoping to go and stay with my friend in Venice at her apartment. My parents are very jealous! Well that's it for now, so I will stop rambling and talk you all soon.
June 2003
I guess the big news for the day which I hope you’ve heard, is Nick’s return to Coronation Street.
Basically what happened is Granada approached me in January, while I was out in the States, asking if I would come back. As I explained to them I was open to the idea but it would depend 100% on what the storylines and character development would entail.
Since I started in this business the one thing I have learnt above all else is that it is these two factors which determine whether you find a job challenging and thus enjoyable.
The fact that I had also committed to play Wilkes in Office Games throughout the Spring and early summer meant that we were able to take the last six months securing what both parties felt were really exciting storylines.
The end result was that from the position of being an actor it meant that I had an opportunity to pursue a really challenging acting piece, which be it for a project for stage, big screen or small screen has always been the real driving motivation behind picking a part. In addition it will be great to get back working with such a great cast and crew, and also be based up near my parents for a change.
I will only be returning for a very specific time, as the film projects I have committed to can only be shelved for so long. Although I won’t detail how long that period will be it will be a meaningful commitment of time in which we hope to create a really good set of storylines for you to enjoy, which sadly I can’t tell you about just yet but keep tuned and I’ll be sure to let you know when I can.
May 2003
I'm writing this from my dressing room at the Pleasance Theatre where we are now halfway through the run. What an experience!
I've really found that theatre has become a really good school for me, as it teaches you so much as an actor. The cast and I are all having so much fun as the play is so emotional that each night we find a real reward in getting it right.
We'rve got about two more weeks to go and I hope you get a chance to come and see as it really is an amazing piece. As a new play in itself it is a real challenge as you are walking into completely untested material, but I think that's what we all find so exciting because you are the first ever person to take the character on and are able to stamp your own inflections on the role.
On top of all that I am happy to say that hopefully by the time of the next diary update I will be able to let you in in what some of the new projects coming up are.
At the moment they are still hush hush but we are coming to the end of pre-production on two of the projects, one for TV and one film, so touch wood I can let you know really soon.
As ever thanks for all your e-mails and messages, it's great to hear what you are all up to and your messages of support really are treasured.
January 2003
Hope you had a great Christmas and a happy new year and that the new year is bringing you happiness and success.
Mine was really lovely, just spending time with my family and a big thank you to all of you for the cards and presents you sent, it was very sweet and really appreciated.
Well with the new year I guess everything is back to business and good God has it been manic. As I write this I'm actually back off to L.A. this weekend as one of the studios has asked me to come out to start pre-production meetings for a project out there.
Although as usual its very hush-hush I can start dropping hints about some of the other stuff I'll be up to this year.
Firstly there's a couple of films I've been asked to play the lead in, which I'm mulling over (scripts, meetings etc) and although I don't want to spoil the surprise by giving the plots away, I can say one is a British psychological thriller and the other a European science fiction action movie.
Also I'm in the process of setting something up for television in the UK (drama) and am very keen to do some more theatre as well and so I'm reading the scripts of some I've been offered.
On top of all that I've got the stuff stateside moving on at speed and also my brother and I are looking to make our short film through the production company when we get time as well as continuing production for the feature film we have on the go. Phew!!
Although none of that is too precise I will divulge more information as and when I'm allowed and be sure that the website will be the first to know.
In the meantime I hope you all continue to be in good health and success finds you each morning and I'll speak to you all really soon.
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