BODYBUILDING CHAMPION... BY ORDER OF THE PEAKY BLINDERS!
Weightlifter flexes muscles in TV and film
FROM appearing in Peaky Blinders to landing the Mr England title – Stokeon-trent bodybuilder Andy Gold is no stranger to being in the spotlight.
And his newfound stardom in other shows such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street marks a remarkable journey having turned to weightlifting as an underweight teenager.
Last month, he won Mr England at the National Amateur Bodybuilders’ Association (NABBA) competition.
Next he will be competing for the Mr Universe title in Bradford.
While some may not have seen his bodybuilding exploits, Andy may look familiar thanks to his roles in television and film.
After featuring in a photoshoot for amateur dramatics group, Porthill Players, he was approached by an agent. He has since appeared as an extra in Emmerdale and Coronation Street, and films including Jawbone and Hunter’s Prayers.
He’s also been in the BBC hit Peaky Blinders. He said: “It was quite an achievement because I have always watched the soaps as a kid. I got a part in Peaky Blinders in season one as an extra playing a workman. In season two I got a part as a blacksmith.”
Andy visited the Black Country Living Museum to receive training from an actual blacksmith.
He said: “I enjoyed blacksmithing. In season five I got my first work with a speaking part. I have worked with Cillian Murphy. The cast and crew are very professional.
“I’m a big fan of the show. The first day I was on set I just knew it was going to be big. The writer Steven Knight has done a great job. I was privileged to get on it.”
Andy, who has worked in the pottery industry and as a builder, added: “I am a working class person.
“This is something different, trying to better myself.”
When he’s not on television, Andy trains at JD Gyms in Fenton. It’s his dedication to weightlifting which has put him in line for Mr Universe.
He began training as a bodybuilder when he was 18 due to being underweight. He said: “I decided to start lifting weights. It’s just taken off from there and over the years I’ve won a lot of competitions.
“In October I won the NABBA Mr England. It’s a very big achievement. Bodybuilding was a big change. I started eating more food and training regularly. I feel amazing about it.
“You’ve got to be of a very high standard to qualify for Mr Universe. I spend about three-hours-a-day in the gym and about one-hour-a-day doing cardio work. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. People don’t understand how much work it is and it’s the food and diet as well. I mainly eat chicken, fish, and rice. It can get very boring.”