EastEnders’ Richard Blackwood used to have a crush on ‘Emmerdale’s Gemma Atkinson.
The 43-year-old actor, who portrays Vincent Hubbard in the BBC One soap, feels "privileged" to be up against the blonde beauty – known for playing Carly Hope in the ITV show – for the Best Newcomer at next week’s National Television Awards (NTAs) as he used to have a soft spot for her.
Asked if he’s been keeping an eye on his competitors since the shortlist was announced, he said: "The irony for me is that I used to fancy Gemma! I feel privileged to be in the same category. I know they’re all really good at what they do.
"I haven’t just watched them because I now realise I’m in the same category as them, I’ve watched them prior to that. I admire their work. I believe I’m in a worthy category."
But the handsome star feels even more pressure to do well following the soap’s success at last year’s ceremony.
He told Yahoo! Celebrity: "’EastEnders’ did so well at the last NTAs. That was when I actually joined, and I was sitting with the cast in the same row as Maddy Hill when she won Best Newcomer. I remember her face when she won and I was like, ‘Wow, this is so real.’ She was blown away by it.
"Then a year later, it’s like, wow, now it’s me. Just like that it happened as well. I’m nervous about that."
Richard Blackwood had crush on Gemma Atkinson
