Shayne Ward
SHAYNE Ward has confirmed his first role fresh from leaving Coronation Street will be on the silver screen.
For Shayne has bagged a leading man role in a new psychological thriller, Stairs.
Clayton-raised Shayne says he’s “buzzing” to play Will Stanton, the leader of a squad of mercenaries, and among his squad members will be his real life fiancee, former Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin.
Shayne confirmed the news to his fans on his official Facebook page, and said how much he was looking forward to working with Sophie.
He said: “A huge positive since leaving Corrie is I have gotten to spend an incredible amount of time with Sophie and [our 19-month-old daughter] Willow.
“It was never planned that me and Sophie would act together; we both went for parts and got them. We can’t believe it that we’re going to be in a film together. It’s going to be fun, she’s a great actress and I’m so proud of her.
“We start filming in August so that will be the real test of living and working together. Willow will also be with us on set.
“Right now we’re in the rehearsal stage. We both have different ways that we learn stuff so reading through each others lines has been interesting. When it comes to filming though we’re going to have to cut that tie of being a couple and be like, ‘listen, [as your squad leader], I’m in charge of you!”
Shayne hasn’t ruled out heading to Hollywood next, and says acting, rather than his music, is now taking the priority.
He said: “I would love to be able to go overseas and do films. [I know] it’s not going to be an easy process, it’s something where in order to gain longevity things may go quiet and I’ve got to keep on learning. It’s great that this opportunity with Stairs has come about; I wasn’t expecting it and I’m so excited.”
He added: “It was a conscious decision following the huge impact from the suicide storyline with Aidan when I left Coronation Street that I didn’t want to move away from acting.
“I had a great three years there, it has taught me a hell of a lot and I want to grow on that and go into film and more TV-based drama - that’s where I see myself.
“That said, I would never say never and am still gigging here and there. You can do singing and acting but it’s a difficult one to balance. If I go into the studio then I have to take myself out of the acting game for like six to eight months.”
Directed by Tom Paton (Redwood), the film will start shooting in August.