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Coronation Street actor claims co-stars went to extreme lengths to 'look buff' on screen

Tony Hirst, best known for playing Paul Kershaw in Coronation Street, has shared how his co-stars try to look "as buff as possible" on screen

[Tony Hirst arriving for the 2012 British Soap Awards at ITV]

Tony Hirst has shared Coronation Street backstage secrets(Image: PA)

A former Coronation Street actor has opened up on backstage secrets fans won't see on camera.

Tony Hirst has had first-hand experience of life inside two of the UKs most iconic soaps, first as Mike Barnes in Hollyoaks between 2006 and 2010 and later as Paul Kershaw in Coronation Street from 2010 to 2013.

Paul was at the centre of several Corrie storylines, most memorablly finding himself embroiled in a complicated love triangle involving Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) and his Alzheimer's-affected wife Lesley Kershaw (Judy Holt).

In 2013, reports emerged suggesting Tony had been written out and that Paul would meet his end in an "explosive" storyline. However, This proved incorrect, with the character instead leaving Weatherfield following accusations of racism.

[Tony Hurst played Paul Kershaw in Coronation Street]

The actor played Paul Kershaw in Coronation Street from 2010 to 2013.(Image: ITV)

Tony left Coronation Street 13 years ago and says that soap star still don't get enough credit for the "seriously hard work" they put into their jobs.

Speaking on behalf of Betway Insider, Tony said: "I feel like soap acting doesnt get the credit it deserves. It's seriously hard work.

"If you dont make quick choices in a soap opera, you're either going to look absolutely silly or you're going to be gone.

"I've found that a lot of the best actors have some sort of experience working in soaps. It's fast.

"You have to think quickly, make good choices, and you might have 12 scripts on the go, all being shot out of order.

[Paul Kershaw]

Paul found himself at the centre of the drama in Weatherfield(Image: ITV)

"You get very little direction, so you have to be accurate, efficient, and on it all the time. Youve got to learn lines quickly, and those are real key skills."

During his time on Hollyoaks, the Channel 4 soap famously leaned into its reputation for having one of televisions most glamorous casts, even producing the annual Hollyoaks Babes and Hollyoaks Hunks calendars.

Opening up on whether or not there's been changes over the years, Tony explained: "I think theres more care but of course, things can still happen and pressure is a massive thing, especially with social media.

"I remember doing a Full Monty style scene on Coronation Street where we had to be naked. Some of the younger lads purposefully didn't drink water for two days beforehand so they wouldnt be bloated, and others were in the gym, trying to look as buff as possible."

Coronation Street airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX and Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am

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