My Shropshire Life - actor James Sutton

By Shropshire Life on January 28th 2012

Shropshire’s James Sutton shot to national prominence when he landed the starring role of troubled Ryan Lamb in TV series Emmerdale. His vulnerable, pretty-boy character Ryan saw it all, including murder, mayhem and near-incest, during his 20 months on the show. He received national nominations for best actor, sexiest male and best newcomer.

After leaving Emmerdale in April last year James has starred in various TV dramas, including daytime soap Doctors. He was on our screens at Christmas winning the celebrity charity final of obstacle challenge gameshow Wipeout!

His folks (mum Jeanette is a teaching assistant at a nearby village primary school) still live in the family home in  Sambrook, just outside Newport.

We caught up with James in between filming jobs:

So James, tell us about your Shropshire background?
“I was born in Sutton Coldfield (hence the stagename James Sutton; his real surname is Cook), then moved to Staffordshire before my family eventually settled in Newport. I went to Burton Borough School - endless summer days playing football, very competitive but lots of fun - before going to drama college in Cardiff. Shropshire has been home for the past 14 years or so and I love it; nothing beats coming home.”

What do you love most about the county?
“I think because I’m sometimes in the spotlight, the thing I love most about Shropshire is that it’s relatively undiscovered – it’s like a secret place to come back to.”

Your favourite pub?
“I’ve got good friends in Lilleshall and we seem to gravitate to the Fox pub quite a lot!

Your favourite charity?
I’m patron for Once Upon a Smile, a charity making dreams come true for terminally ill and underprivileged kids. When I appeared on Wipeout! I donated my winnings to this charity. I am a very lucky lad and it is a pleasure to help such a worthwhile cause.

Favourite way to spend your leisure time?
Being with my girlfriend and close friends, watching Liverpoool FC, listening to Radiohead, Bowie, The Jam, Rolling Stones, the classics!

Career highlight so far?
Would have to be the five years or so I spent working on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. But I hope the best is ahead of me.

What’s next for you?
I’ve just filmed a series of Bedlam for Sky Living (alongside former Eastenders sweetheart Lacey Turner and show regular Hugo Speer), am just shooting an episode of ITV drama Scott and Bailey, and doing lots of auditions!

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