James Hooton feels "lucky" to still be on ‘Emmerdale’ after 25 years.
The Sam Dingle star admits his quarter of a century on the ITV soap has been a "roller coaster ride", but his enjoyment of appearing on the programme has "never subsided".
He said: "It’s been a roller coaster ride and an adventure.
"I’m extremely thankful and lucky to still be here after all this time.
"Producers, directors and actors, we all get along really well.
"So coming on set of a morning, particularly if we’ve not got anything too heavy storyline-wise to do, is just good fun with good friends.
"The enjoyment of the job has never subsided."
And the star has set his sights on another 25 years in the Dales, admitting he would be glad to reach 50 years of playing Sam.
Speaking on ITV News show ‘Calendar’, he added: "If I’ve still got the energy to be working on a show like this in another 25 years I would love to think I could still be here."
James – who used to help his dad sell socks and handkerchiefs from a suitcase – initially signed up for the show for just eight episodes before landing a longer deal.
He said: "I didn’t think this would be a career-defining role.
"I was travelling to London for auditions a lot and I thought, ‘This is great, I’ve got eight episodes on a soap. I’ve got the train fare to London for the next couple of months sorted and I’ve cleared my debts.’
"I saw it as a means to an end.
"I was invited back after those eight episodes and here we are, 25 years later."
James Hooton feels ‘lucky’ to still be on Emmerdale
