Jake Quickenden has found it "hard to be taken seriously" as an actor because of his reality TV background.
The ‘Hollyoaks’ newcomer – who has joined the Channel 4 soap as builder Woody – is pleased he was able to cut his teeth on numerous reality TV shows, such as ‘The X Factor’ and ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’, but he is hoping to prove to people he can act.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Coming in to do the acting I just wanted to be taken seriously.
"It’s hard to be taken seriously when you’ve done a lot of reality stuff.
"People look at you like a reality star. Fair enough, I’ve done a lot, I take my hat off to it, I love it and it’s got me to where I am.
"But I’m a lot more than that."
Jake admits he has had people questioning whether he was given a part in ‘Hollyoaks’ purely because of his fame.
When asked if he’s had negative comments from people assuming he’s only landed a ‘Hollyoaks’ role because of who he is, he said: "100 per cent. But they don’t know I’ve had auditions, they don’t know that I’ve worked my a**e off.
"They don’t know I’ve just done an eight-month touring musical where I had to sing and act."
Jake’s ‘Hollyoaks’ role is only a short one for the upcoming stunt week later this month, but he is already hoping to be asked back to the soap.
Speaking at the Inside Soap Awards on Monday night (07.10.19), he said: "It’s not long, but it’s open for me to come back. I’d love to. The show is amazing, everyone involved in the show is amazing.
"I would love to come back."
Jake Quickenden’s struggling to be ‘taken seriously’ as an actor
