I’m so gladI decided to keep calm& Corrie on
Actor Sam almost quit hit soap for a second time.. but now he’s relishing being in the thick of things as programme gets set to celebrate its 60th birthday
LAST year, Scottish soap star Sam Robertson nearly quit Coronation Street for the second time. The 35-year-old Dundee actor took 10 weeks out and went to a friend’s wedding in Australia.
He said he had to get into the right head space so he would not walk away from the soap – like he did in 2007 after three years playing Adam Barlow, saying he hated being recognised by fans.
Sam came back in 2016 but last year had a fresh wobble and his bosses acted quickly to try not to lose him again.
And now the actor is thrilled he stuck it out because his character is right in the thick of the soap’s storylines as it turns 60 on Wednesday.
Proving he is in a far better place, he said: “The more pressure, the better. I love being part of the big 60th storyline.
“As an actor you thrive on being busy and being involved in big storylines.
“You don’t want to be on the outside of the window looking in at the action so to be at the epicentre of it, especially at this important time for the show, is brilliant and long may it continue.”
Sam was at Manchester University studying drama and English when he landed the role of Adam in 2004, taking over the part from Iain De Caestecker, who had played Mike Baldwin’s son and Ken Barlow’s grandson since 2001.
Then just 18, Adam found the sudden fame a “culture shock” and left after three years.
He joined River City in 2009 as Innes Maitland and even went into the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2013.
The Scot returned to Corrie in 2016 as the Street’s eye candy.
But the stress of being in the world’s longest-running soap got to him again last year, leading to him being given 10 weeks away to get his head straight.
Sam said he realised he was “being silly” and actually his life wasn’t so bad. He said he finally accepted he had to deal with the intrusion and sometimes relentless working hours the actors and crew have to put in on the show.
His loyalty has been rewarded with some cracking storylines.
Last year, Adam proposed to Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) during an armed siege. The pair married but they split when Adam found out she had been covering for killer Gary Windass (Mikey North).
After their split the former womaniser went back to his old ways which included a one-night stand with his uncle’s girlfriend, Carla (Alison King).
But recently Adam has reconciled with Sarah. She knows about one affair but he didn’t tell her about his fling with Carla.
The 60th celebrations, which start on Monday, will see Adam and Carla battling to keep the secret that will ruin their lives and those around them.
Nothing stays quiet for long in soaps, though, and as the week progresses the truth about what they have done threatens to destroy them and their relationships.
Sam, who is rumoured to be dating
football pundit Alex Scott, admitted that while he doesn’t like what his character is doing he’s glad the solicitor isn’t one-dimensional.
He said: “There is so much of him that is likeable now but he started out by being a bit of a Jack the lad, not caring for others, being a bit of a sleazebag.
“I felt that there could be more to him and they developed his character and introduced things like the friendship with Mary and you started to see that side of his character.
“That’s the exciting thing about working on a soap – you can work together with the writers to develop a character, it is a very organic process.
“I like the cheeky side of Adam, his love for Sarah, his feud with Gary but I don’t like that Adam would sleep with Carla and betray his whole family by doing it.”
The actor feels his character has taken a step back to the old Adam and has had something of a long “lost weekend” drinking and womanising “trying to hurt Sarah like the overgrown child that he can sometimes be”.
Sam also sees a glint of Adam’s father Mike Baldwin, played by Johnny Briggs between 1976 and 2006, during the 60th celebrations scenes.
He said: “Although Adam can be a bit of a tearaway at times, what I have established from this whole storyline is that he is principled and he has a line that he will draw.
“He is similar to Mike in that he is a cheeky chappy and will get caught with his pants down a couple of times, but neither of them would kill someone in cold blood and bury them inn the woods.
“When it comes to that sortort of behaviour he really feels strongly,gly, as most people would.”
Adam will lock horns againgain with rival Gary Windassdass (Mikey North), who killedled and buried debt collectortor Rick Neelan in the woods lastst year.year.
The pair are like a modernrn dadayay Mike and Ken – always at eachh other but somehow buddies.s.
Gary is part of the otherer anniversary storyline – Rayay Crosby’s (Mark Frost) plot to demolish half the street andnd build a luxuryury tower block.
Sam said: “Adamdam has Gary on the ropes. He is enjoyingoying toying with him.m.
“But like Kenn and Mike, there is an element of them having a grudgrudgingdging respect foror eache other.
“There is jealojealousyousy over how AdAdamam feels aboutt Gary,ary, Adam has a slight suspicionpicion there are still feelings betweentween Sarah and Gary.”
And as for Adam’s feelingslings about Carla?
Sam said: “It shouldn’t have happened and they are bothoth desperate to keep it quiet.et.
“But this is Coronationon Street, nothing stays a secret forever.”
Coronation Street iss on STV every Monday,y, Wednesday and Friday.
Like Ken and Mike, there is a grudging respect for each other SAM ROBERTSON ON ADAM AND GARY’S RIVALRY