For decades, Coronation Street has been regarded as one of Britain’s most iconic television institutions. The long-running ITV drama has launched countless careers and remains

a beloved fixture in households across the UK. Yet for some actors, stepping onto the famous cobbles can be far more intimidating than audiences might imagine.

Actor James Murray recently revealed that his brief appearance on the legendary soap was so nerve-racking that he once considered abandoning screen acting altogether.

In a candid conversation on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, Murray opened up about the unforgettable—and terrifying—experience that left him convinced he might never return to the Coronation Street set.

While many actors dream of appearing in the iconic ITV drama, Murray admitted that his first brush with television acting felt less like a career milestone and more like being thrown into the deep end.

James kick started his acting career in Coronation Street

A Short but Memorable Role

During the interview with veteran television presenter Alan Titchmarsh, Murray reflected on one of the earliest roles in his career.

Years before becoming known for his work in major television dramas, he briefly appeared on Coronation Street as Sandy, a bartender working in the famous Rovers Return Inn.

The role itself was small. Murray only appeared in three episodes, serving drinks to beloved Weatherfield residents.

But despite its limited screen time, the experience left a lasting impression on the actor.

“I was Jack and Vera’s barman for about three episodes,” Murray recalled during the interview.

At the time, he shared scenes with legendary Coronation Street characters Jack Duckworth and Vera Duckworth—two of the show’s most iconic figures.

The actors portraying them, Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn, were already household names and beloved by millions of viewers.

For a newcomer to television acting, stepping into scenes with such celebrated performers was daunting.

And according to Murray, the pressure was overwhelming.

“I Was Absolutely Petrified”

Murray admitted that walking onto the set of the Rovers Return for the first time felt like entering another world entirely.

“The bright lights, the cameras… I was absolutely petrified,” he confessed.

Having come from a background with limited screen experience, the intensity of filming a major television soap proved far more challenging than he expected.

In soap production, scenes are often filmed at a rapid pace due to tight schedules and the need to produce multiple episodes each week.

Murray described the environment as incredibly fast-moving—something that caught him completely off guard.

The actor appeared as Sandy in the ITV soap

“It’s like a sausage factory,” he explained.

“There’s not much time for creative input from actors. You stand on your mark, say your line, and then move on to the next thing.”

For someone still learning the craft of television performance, the speed and pressure made the experience extremely stressful.

Overwhelmed by Nerves

Murray admitted that he tried to prepare himself as thoroughly as possible.

In fact, he may have prepared a little too much.

“I overlearned my lines,” he revealed.

Rather than helping him relax, the intense preparation only heightened his anxiety.

Once the cameras started rolling, his nerves quickly became obvious.

“I was shaking and sweating,” he recalled.

The situation became so noticeable that Bill Tarmey, the actor playing Jack Duckworth, quickly realized how uncomfortable the young performer felt.

A Kind Moment From a Soap Legend

Despite the intimidating environment, Murray remembers Tarmey as a warm and supportive colleague.

During one of their scenes together, Tarmey was polishing a glass behind the bar when he noticed the young actor trembling.

In a moment Murray would never forget, the veteran performer quietly addressed the situation.

“He said, ‘You’re shaking like a leaf, son. Either stop shaking or think about doing something else.’”

While the comment was delivered with humor, it also carried a sense of practical advice.

For Murray, it became a defining moment of the experience.

He later described Tarmey as “a wonderful man” whose kindness helped ease the tension in an otherwise overwhelming situation.

The actor confessed the experience was ‘frightening’

A Turning Point in His Career

Despite the support from his co-star, the experience left Murray questioning whether television acting was truly the right path for him.

The intense pressure of filming a high-profile soap had shaken his confidence.

“After that stint on Corrie, I thought maybe I didn’t want to be an actor,” he admitted.

More specifically, he realized that the fast-paced world of soap production might not be the environment where he could thrive.

Rather than quitting acting entirely, however, Murray decided to explore other areas of performance.

He turned to theatre, where the rehearsal process allowed more time to develop characters and explore creative choices.

For him, the slower pace and collaborative atmosphere felt far more comfortable.

Respect for Soap Actors

Although Murray admits he would hesitate before returning to the Coronation Street set, he also expressed deep respect for the actors who work there regularly.

Producing multiple episodes every week requires enormous discipline and skill.

The rapid filming schedules mean actors must memorize large volumes of dialogue while delivering emotionally convincing performances in very little time.

“My hat goes off to them,” Murray said.

“They do incredible work because it’s so quick.”

The comment highlights something many viewers may not realize: behind the seemingly effortless drama on screen lies an incredibly demanding production process.

A Successful Career Beyond Weatherfield

Fortunately, Murray’s early experience on Coronation Street did not derail his career.

Instead, it became a valuable lesson that helped shape his path as an actor.

Over the years, he has appeared in numerous television dramas and gained recognition for playing complex and often villainous characters.

In fact, Murray joked during the interview that he can hardly remember the last time he played someone who wasn’t a villain.

He even suggested that his distinctive eyebrows might be partly responsible for the casting trend.

His most recent role saw him portraying the sinister Raef Lonsdale in the 2025 BBC drama Wild Cherry—a character whose darker personality fits perfectly with the type of roles Murray has become known for.

Looking Back With Humor

Today, Murray can laugh about his nerve-wracking first experience on the Coronation Street set.

What once felt terrifying now serves as a reminder of how far he has come as an actor.

Although he insists that returning to the soap might not be in his future, the brief role still holds a special place in his career history.

After all, not every performer can say their first major screen role involved serving drinks to two of Britain’s most iconic television characters inside the legendary Rovers Return.

And even if the experience left him trembling at the time, it ultimately helped launch a career that has continued to thrive ever since.

For fans of Coronation Street, the story offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of television’s most beloved dramas—and a reminder that even seasoned actors once had their own nervous first day on the cobbles.