Adam Rickitt catapulted to fame seven years ago when he made his debut as the 'new' Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street.
Replacing young Warren Jackson, the original actor, Adam was all floppy fringe and boy-band good looks. He left Come after just 18 months - and a steamy teenage marriage to Leanne Battersby - and embarked on a pop career having a top ten hit with the catchy I Breathe Again.
But Adam soon realised the pop world wasn't for him and decided to return to acting. He toured in the musical Rent and has often popped back to Weatherfield. Adam is now firmly back on the Coronation Street cobbles and his character continues to cause a furore. Earlier in 2003 the tabloids went into hysteria mode when Nick's sister's boyfriend Todd pecked him on the lips. Nick hurriedly dated Candice (Nikki Sanderson) to affirm his heterosexuality, but has recently ditched her in favour of his old flame Maria (Samia Ghadie).
Adam, 25, the youngest of four sons of a merchant banker, grew up in Cheshire. He followed his three brothers to Sedbergh Boarding School and it seemed likely university and a career in law would follow. But on the day he picked up his A-level results, Adam plucked up the courage to tell his dad he wanted to be an actor. Shortly afterwards he joined Coronation Street where he was immediately tagged as a 'himbo' and slated for his poor acting. But Adam's blond good looks made him a hit with the fans, and he has never looked back. Here Adam tells OK. about how he has changed over the years and why he's pleased to be back on The Street.
Were you surprised about the reaction to the scene where Todd kisses Nick?
I really wasn't surprised by the impact at all. When you mix sex and soap there's always a big reaction, and when it's that sort of sex and soap, the reaction is going to be even bigger. I was actually disappointed. You would think in this day and age people would be more tolerant and aware. But, from a storyline point of view, it was great to do. Apparently 21 people complained - but 14 million watched the episode.
You've become a bit of a gay icon - how do you feel about that?
I don't know about that, really. You'd have to ask other people - I don't know what to say. It was a strong storyline, that's all. I took bit of ribbing from friends and family but it was good laugh really. Todd is a young guy and a lot of young guys go through that sort of thing. Your teens are a turbulent time. Mind you, it's almost too long ago for me to remember, it was all a drunken blur!
So Nick has dumped Candice for Maria?
Well, Nick made it clear from day one that he wasn't interested in anything serious with Candice. So it's no surprise when he gets back with Maria. I don't know where this will lead, we'll have to see what they look like on screen. At the moment I think they're beautiful, so much in love. Whether that will last, though, who knows, I do know there are different storylines planned depending on how it goes.
Didn't you once date Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria?
We briefly went out when I returned to Corrie for a few episodes earlier this year. Then I went off to Los Angeles for three months so it didn't pan out. It doesn't affect our work, we still speak on the phone every day. We're really close friends and she's great to work with - and a great actress.
So are you currently single?
Not really. I'm sort of seeing somebody but it's very early days. I'm not walking down the aisle or anything - there's nothing heavy at the moment. I was seeing an actress, Jane Doyle,who I met when I was doing Rent, but that finished. We're still good friends but not going out together now
Does fame get in the way of dating?
I've been doing this now for seven years and I can spot straight away if someone is talking to me solely because I'm in Coronation Street. I never consciously make an effort to block people out. I base it far more on whether they're a nice person or not.I don't want to let my career dictate my lifestyle.
Your acting has taken a lot of criticism - how do you respond to that?
I was 18 when I joined the soap and I came straight out of school with no acting training at all. So Coronation Street was my drama school. Then I went on stage with Rent and did some film work. I'm learning all the time.
What was it like when the media were labelling you as a himbo?
That was completely thrust upon me. I've got five A-levels and had passed the Oxbridge entrance exam before I decided to take up the role in Coronation Street. But because I've got blond hair and people think I'm a pretty boy, I was put into a bracket. Of course, initially it hurt, but I quickly learned to either sink or swim.
Why did you abandon your pop career when it started off so well?
I didn't realise what a robot you become in the pop business. You have to mime on stage because there is no time for soundchecks. It's just a machine, I jumped ship and I don't want to do it again.
How was Christmas? Did you manage get some time off?
Yes, I was at home with my family. I love Christmas, I'm totally pathetic about it! The luckiest thing ever for me was being born into a family who are incredibly close, so Christmas is a really amazing time for us. I was offered a part in a film that was shooting over Christmas in Spain and I said: 'No! I've got to be at home!'
