Stefan Booth Online

Hollyoaks Interview

How did you get the part of Jamie in HOLLYOAKS?
It wasn't the first acting job I'd had. The stuff I'd done before was pretty low profile and this really started off my career, and I'm very happy about that. I came up here and auditioned like everyone else, and obviously it was a very nerve wracking experience.

I originally got called up for a part in HOLLYOAKS: MOVIN' ON, but they transferred the character. I'm fully aware that I'm in the top 2% of actors currently in employment in the country, so that's a privilege in itself.

What were you doing before you joined the soap?
I'd just come back from Mauritius. I'd been working out there for 2 months on an action drama series called Breakwater Reef. It was a bit like that old soap Eldorado, about two hoteliers who set up businesses in rivalry with each other. I played a martial arts instructor and an ex-waterski champion!

Do you remember your first day on set?
It was quite memorable, because it was with three of the fundamental cast members, including Tony (Nick Pickard) and Mr Cunningham (Bernard Latham). It was nice to be working with people that knew what they were doing, that were friendly.

But when I started I did feel really inexperienced; I didn't go to drama school, I didn't train. You can pull it off occasionally in acting, but sometimes I think there's no substitute for having a bit of training behind you.

Do you like the character of Jamie and could you see yourself being friends with someone like him?
Yeah, if I was at college again, I think I would be friends with someone like Jamie Nash, but I wouldn't look up to the way he behaves in general. I think he's quite explosive, too spontaneous, but it's funny to play ? I love it! But the way that he treats women is diabolical.

How important do you feel the STI storyline was and how did you feel about portraying this issue?
For starters, it's nice to play something gritty, it's also nice to tackle an issue that's not necessarily easy, and I'm quite happy to have followed it through its progression.

Jamie's had so many little things that have happened, they land straight in front of him and he can't circumnavigate them, he's had to walk straight through, and I've enjoyed the fact that I've been given those issues, especially the STI. It's relevant, it's not something to be avoided.

What response have you received from the public?
It's been interesting. It's been good. Obviously he's not been the nicest guy to play at times and so I've had a lot of flak, but it's always been more a poke in the ribs rather than (adopts thuggish grunt) "Oy, you're Jamie Nash!" It's nice when you're just walking down the street and people are giving you an absolute ribbing, for losing the presidential campaign, or asking me where my 'Nash Tache' is!