I’ll never tyre of role as Corrie mechanic
Alan celebrates 22 years… but still can’t fix a flat Playing Corrie mechanic Tyrone Dobbs for 22 years, has many skills in his toolbox.
But among the things he hasn’t picked up yet is changing a tyre.
He admits: “You’d think after so many years, even if you weren’t into cars you’d pick up some little piece of knowledge.
“I’ve not picked up one bit, nothing! I get it in the pub – a guy came up to me, grabbed my hand and said, ‘Never seen a day’s work in their life, them… I’m a mechanic’.
“I tell them I’m just pretending. Apart from lifting the bonnet up I haven’t got a clue.
“I’ve never changed a tyre, I wouldn’t like to do it. I’d just ring my brother – who is a mechanic.” Joining the show in 1998 as a green 16-year-old, Alan says he found himself in a quandary over whether to make such a huge career move.
He says: “The same week I got offered a full-time role in Heartbeat. All of a sudden I’m faced with his huge dilemma.” But he has never regretted making the choice he did.
“When it boiled down to it, even if it was just a week at Coronation Street I would have always taken it.
“It’s the biggest show on UK television and to be a small part of that would be something me and my family would be proud of.
“Now to be sat here 22 years later is quite ridiculous.”
As the soap celebrates its 60th anniversary next month, Alan, 38, says there is nowhere he would rather be. He says: “I’m a Salford kid born and bred.
“My family’s dream, and also mine, was to be in Corrie – and here I am all these years later.
“Do I want to do anything else? No. I like being part of the big stories, but also love having a brew in the garage with Kevin, or a pint in the Rovers.
“I don’t see myself getting a job that I love as much as this.”
So could he match the world record of Corrie stalwart Bill Roache , 88 – who, as Ken Barlow, is the longest-serving soap star on the planet after being on the show since day one?
Alan says: “I’d like to get somewhere near Bill but I’m happy for him to keep the record. It’s an amazing achievement.
“He’s still great on the show – and he’s still got a better head of hair than I have.
“Let’s hope for another 60 more years – I might have to get a few more transplants to catch Bill up.”