Sexy scaffolder Theo Silverton arrives on the soap this week, attracting the attentions of Todd Grimshaw in the process. – and the actor who plays him was a huge child star

Life on Coronation Street’s famous cobbles is set to spice up this week as a sexy new scaffolder, Theo, arrives and it’s not long before he embarks on a romance with Todd Grimshaw.

The Archers and Tracy Beaker star, James Cartwright, makes his debut as the soap’s new hunk on Tuesday and so pleased is he that he has landed the role of Theo, he admits it’s like being in a ‘psychedelic dream’.

And despite starring in a string of high-profile TV dramas ever since the age of 17, that also includes Clocking Off and the Downton Abbey movie, James reveals it’s his new role in Corrie that his excited family are thrilled about – especially as his beloved grandma, Edith, introduced him to the soap when he was growing up in Bolton.

In a very lively and fun interview, James beams with pride as he talks poignantly of how he used to eat crumpets with Edith whilst they watched Corrie together as he admits he can’t wait for the soap’s millions of fans to get to know Theo.

Joking he can’t believe he is getting paid to kiss Todd for a job, James, 40, tells the Mirror: “I’d snog him for free! It’s an absolute privilege to be working on Corrie that is on an elite level when it comes to acting. I hold it in such high esteem. I used to watch Corrie with my dear grandma Edith. She would sit down after tea, ask me if I wanted a crumpet and we would then always watch Corrie. It was her time and she loved it.

“She died ten years ago and I know she would have been beaming with joy and would have been so proud that I am now in Corrie. She never missed an episode and she was a wonderful and formidable woman.

“My grandma passed the Corrie baton on to mum (Angela), then mum passed it to my two sisters, Georgina and Charlotte, and my whole family are thrilled I’ve got this part. They are going to hold a party on Tuesday night to watch me when I arrive!”

Going on to describe how surreal it felt to film Theo’s debut this week on the cobbles, he says: “It’s like being in a psychedelic dream because it’s so familiar! It’s either that or having amnesia in a small town where you know everyone, but nobody knows who you are! Of course, when I walk in the Rovers, I know where everything is because it has been part of our fabric. We all know what Roy’s Rolls is like and now I am in it with him talking to me and asking me how my weekend was! It’s fabulous.”

On Tuesday night, Theo will be seen in Weatherfield working on his scaffolding when a piece falls on Todd’s aunty Julie as she passes by. Initially Theo thinks she is faking the pain from being hit but is then horrified when he is told she has cancer. Mortified, he tells Todd he will buy her flowers.

And as soon as Todd sets eyes on the sexy new scaffolder, it’s clear he is smitten. He starts flirting with Theo and the new soap hunk initially tells him he’s not gay. But in true soap style, this doesn’t put Todd off who is determined to woo him and eventually, his efforts pay off.

Smiling, James says he is chuffed to bits to be working alongside Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd and who he starred alongside in The Archers. He also reveals his secret nickname for his fellow actor who he describes as ‘brilliant at everything’.

“My character in The Archers is a policeman, PC Harrison Burns, and Gareth played a criminal and now we are lovers,” he chuckles. “It’s nice to have a relationship that grows and being paid to have a handsome boyfriend like Todd is a dream. He is gorgeous and he is nice to boot. I call Gareth the ‘Swiss Army knife’ as he can do everything – he is handsome, he can cook, he is a good actor and he is wonderful. Everyone is so fun and mischievous. I am like a Labrador off the leash, I am like Tigger – endlessly sniffing around and being friendly! It’s a real privilege to embark on the journey of the good ship Weatherfield – I am cabin boy Cartwright!”

He doesn’t want to divulge too much about how long his new romance with Todd will last but hints there will be plenty of twists and turns. “Love is a journey,” he teases. “Todd’s eye has been taken by Theo but it takes him a little longer! The journey of true love never did run smoothly and it’s like a perfect stew – you need all the right ingredients but if you over salt it, you are in terrible trouble. You need to let it simmer.”

He pauses, smiles again, then adds: “But how nice to have a happy same sex couple who fancy each other!” So how does he feel to be playing the new soap hunk? James roars with laughter. “Have you got your glasses on?” he jokes. “I could model for wanted posters with a dish like mine!

“Sexy in inverted commas is a lovely thing to be described as and it’s very humbling. It’s also very flattering and to be honest, I am not really conscious of whether I am handsome or not!” With so much energy and enthusiasm that’s highly infectious, it’s easy to see why Coronation Street’s bosses have hired the lively actor, who landed his first TV job at the age of 17 playing care worker, Nathan Jones, in the BBC’s iconic children’s series, Tracy Beaker.

“Tracy Beaker was such an institution,” says James as he reflects on his first big role. “You’d get scripts saying: ‘space hopper race’ or a ‘yoghurt fight’ and it was such a joy. I have such fun memories, and I was only 17 at the time. I had to grow up fast and looking back now, I don’t know how I did it. My meals were questionable though, living off beans on toast!”

After playing Nathan in 40 episodes between 2003 and 2004, James went on to star in a huge variety of TV dramas including as Morrisey in 24 Hour Party People, Johnny Shakespeare, Clocking Off, the Downton Abbey movie and Alan Bennett’s History Boys. “Acting is a funny thing, and you leap into the unknown, but I love living in uncertainty,” he confides. “I like moving from job to job and now I am in the Corrie team, it’s lovely to grow into the part. It fits into my nature.”

For the past 12 years; he has been a regular in The Archers as PS Harrison Burns – a role that has also won him an army of fans around the world. Thankfully, he goes on to reveal, the writers have found a way to write him out of the drama whilst he stars in Coronation Street.

James explains: “I am a Lancashire man, and the writers sent my character on secondment to Yorkshire, which I think they thought was hilarious! I am currently on a special mission with the ability to pop back from time to time and check in. What an honour in an actor’s life it is to be a part of two seminal institutions – Corrie and The Archers.”

He is currently living in Manchester, so it’s an easy commute to the ITV studios. A private person, he is steadying himself for the public spotlight. “Losing your anonymity is always an odd thing,” he muses. “And I do know people are very protective of the show. Because it is in people’s living rooms, you feel as a viewer like a shareholder – you feel part of the show.”

Beaming, he says the entire cast and crew have been so welcoming. “It’s like starting the kindest High School in the world,” he says cheerfully. “Everyone is so friendly, and I think what Kate Brooks, the new producer, has created is fantastic. There is so much camaraderie and I think part of that stems from the fact it is in the North.”

Going on to reflect on how landing the role coincided with his 40th birthday late last year, he says: “It’s certainly a great birthday present. “Theo is fun and he comes with the best of intentions, but he also upsets a few people too.

“It’s an endless thrill playing him and you get the scripts, and they are just so juicy. If you are a Corrie fan, you won’t want to miss a single moment. I do hope people will like Theo.”

He bursts into laughter and then says: “The funny thing about playing a scaffolder is they all like wearing vests. So, when I got the part, I suggested Theo wore a white vest. We started filming in January when it was so cold. And so, when I was at the top of the scaffolding and the wind was blowing, all I could think about was the terrible decision I had made to wear just a vest!

“That said, I really do think Theo is a wonderful new part of Coronation Street.”

He then returns to how iconic a role Corrie plays in many families across Britain, adding: “The soap is a wonderful tapestry of theatrical history. How glorious to set aside that time and sit in front of your TV to watch Corrie. I feel like I am now in a wild dream to be part of it!”

*Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and STV1. You can also download episodes on ITVX.