A Sambrook man is set to reach the dizzy heights of fame after landing a role in one of the nation’s most popular soaps.
Former Burton Borough student James Cook, whose stage name is James Sutton as he was born in Sutton Coldfield, has already been making a name for himself as one of the main characters – Terry Glover – in Sky One’s Dream Team 80s.
Now the aspiring star, 23, has landed a part in Hollyoaks on Channel 4, and is already featured in the programme’s 2007 calendar.
James said: “We were flown out to Sardinia for the photoshoot where it was very, very hot. We did lots of sunbathing and sipping cocktails but we did manage to fit in some work as well.
“It’s strange being labelled as one of the Hollyoaks hunks, but it can’t be bad.
“It was a great experience and I was made very welcome – the calendar will be out in August.”
James will begin filming on set next week, as part of a new family who will appear on our screens before September.
He said: “I can’t give too much away but they’re bringing me in as part of a new family and I’ll have two or three sisters, one of whom is already in the show.”
Although James has been living in London for the past six months he is looking forward to moving to Liverpool, where Hollyoaks is filmed
He said: “I’ve heard that Liverpool is a cool place for the performing arts, and there is a warm friendliness in the people of the city.
“No doubt I’ll will be introduced to the social scene before too long and it’s a great opportunity for me to further my career in the world of television.”
James’ small-screen ambition began when he was a child performing in primary school plays. He then progressed through youth theatre and into drama school before landing the roles on Dream Team 80s and Hollyoaks.
He said: “I think it’s from when you’re little and playing pretend – it’s so much fun that why stop?
“Acting gives you the chance to be something that may be so different from yourself and this is a fantastic achievement less than a year after graduating from drama school – awesome.”
