Star believes in ‘speaking up for the people who don’t have a voice’
CORONATION STREET star Antony Cotton has said he believes in using his “big gob” to speak up for those who don’t have a voice.
The actor won praise earlier this year for taking a stand against anti-gay protesters at Manchester Pride.
He talked about the incident as he walked the red carpet at last night’s TV Choice Awards, saying it was something he had been doing for years.
“Because I have got a big gob, I use it to give people a voice that don’t necessarily have a platform,” he told the Press Association.
“At that very public showing of waving the flag in front of the protesters – and they have the right to protest, that’s what free speech is all about, in a roundabout way I support their right to say what they believe.”
Stars from the worlds of soap, drama and comedy descended on London’s Dorchester hotel for awards last night. Coronation Street dominated the nominations in the soap categories at last night’s event, with three of its stars in the running for best soap actor – Shayne Ward, Connor McIntyre and Jack P Shepherd.
Lucy Fallon and Catherine Tyldesley were both up for best soap actress, while Coronation
Street was competing for the best soap gong against Emmerdale, East-Enders and Hollyoaks. Award categories included including best entertainment show, which sees ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent go up against the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Pointless presenter Richard Osman returned to host the proceedings after presiding over the event last year.
At last night’s event strictly contestant Ranj Singh said he is “terrified” about his first run-in with the show’s judges.
He said: “We are being judged. But, secondly, it’s all critique we can use to get better because we won’t have been judged on our dancing before, and actually those tips are like gold dust.”
He said he has no dance background so is trying to absorb all the tips he can.
“Everything is new to me so I’m learning everything from scratch,” he said. “I’m a blank slate at the moment.”