Thursday, June 11, 2026

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John Thomson recalls Coronation Street nerves

John Thomson used to be struck down with a bout of nerves known as "Rover Phobia" while filming ‘Coronation Street’ scenes in the Rovers Return pub.
The ‘Cold Feet’ star portrayed Jesse Chadwick on the ITV soap from 2008 to 2010 and despite being an established actor, he used to get nervous while shooting scenes in the fictional boozer because it is such an iconic part of British TV.
Speaking on ‘Jeremy Vine’, he said: "I remember Denise Welch mention it, it’s called ‘Rover Phobia’.
"I’d watched it growing up as a child and I’m stood there and I’m acting in the Rovers and I’m like … and it was so brilliantly described as ‘Rover Phobia’.
"Because my lines were a little more … and I think it was because I was in the [Rovers]."
But John – who also appeared in ‘The Fast Show’ and ‘Men Behaving Badly’ before his ‘Corrie’ stint – isn’t the only established TV star to have got nervous stepping foot in the Rovers.
Former ‘Brookside’ actor Louis Emerick made his debut as cobbles cabbie Mike Thornberry earlier this year, and admitted he was so anxious before going into the pub.
He told BANG Showbiz: "As I was waiting outside to go into the Rovers I couldn’t tell you how nervous I was. I was pacing up and down, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Come on Louis, you’ve been doing this for 30 years.’
"But it’s going into the Rovers.
"Even though it’s changed location you still get that sense of nervousness because of all the people who have stepped foot in there before.
"Take away the nerves, you felt like you were standing on holy ground."

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