From the cobbles of Weatherfield to the Blackburn stage... actor Chris Quinten spoke to us about growing old, working for Peter Stringfellow and prancing around in yellow tights.

THE usual signs you’re getting old include spotting the odd grey hair, developing an penchant for jazz and finding yourself starting sentences with: ‘In my day...'

But former Coronation Street actor Chris Quinten reckons it’s the age of the fans who recognise him that gets him wondering if he’s past it.

“I still get people coming up to me saying ‘You’re Brian Tilsley’,” said Chris, who is playing King Bumble in a production of Jack and the Beanstalk at Blackburn's Thwaites Empire Theatre. “Only now the people coming up to me are at least 30. It’s quite frightening really. It’s when I realise my life is going by. It used to be twenty-somethings coming up to me, but they’re all at least 30 now. Any younger and they haven’t got a clue who I am.”

Of course, this has it’s benefits, said Chris.

“If I go into a young restaurant or a club I can dance around like a fool and nobody will go: ‘Oh look, there’s that guy from Corrie’. It’s great.”

Chris, 52, originally from Middlesbrough but now living in London, played popular character Brian Tilsley, who was married to Gail Potter (now Platt), in the soap from 1978 to 1989.

After his exit from the soap, when Brian was stabbed outside a nightclub, Chris went to the United States, where he worked for four years.

Upon his return to Britain he took up rock 'n' roll cabaret and celebrity DJ acts and worked compering and on the after-dinner speaking circuit.

Before long Chris was employed by legendary club owner Peter Stringfellow as a host for parties and as a promoter.

“I was paid to meet and greet people, to look after celebrities when they came in and to have dinner and drink champagne. Between all that and charity golf and football tournaments I was always really busy.”

But the death of his mother in February of this year has made Chris re-assess his life and how he is back focused on his acting.

“The passing away of my mother had a big effect on me and made me realise that I should concentrate on my acting. It’s just so easy to get on with your life. Before you know it you’re in relationships and you have children and it’s just so easy to forget who you are and what you enjoy doing.

“So now I’m staying away from all of the distraction. I’ve put everything else to one side and I’m going to do some stage shows and hopefully pick up a role on TV. Fingers crossed, that is my path now.”

Brian is still a fan of Corrie and, although he’s too busy to watch it regularly, he always tunes in when he has the time.

“I’ll flick it on now and again and have a look to see what’s going on,” he said.

“It’s very different now from how it was when I was in the show. For a start, there’s a lot of youngsters in it now. But I love Helen (Worth, who plays Gail) so I’m always interested to see what she’s up to. Poor Gail. If any woman had the life and the men she’s had they’d be in a mental institute, but she carries on like nothing’s happened. She’s had three husbands die and lived with a mass murderer!”

At present Chris certainly doesn’t have time to catch up on the soaps as he’s putting in 16-hour days rehearsing for Jack in the Beanstalk, coming to the Thwaites Empire Theatre from December 8 to January 3.

“Rehearsals are pretty hectic,” Chris admitted. “But that’s normal. We’ve got hundreds of kids running around, two cows and a giant, but that’s panto for you. It’s exhausting but it’s great fun.”

“The first day of rehearsals is always a bit awkward because nobody knows each other, but this year the girl playing the fairy is on roller skates and on the first day she went flying. She actually bruised herself quite badly, but it really broke the ice — it was our first big laugh!”

With two pantos a day right through until January 3, Chris knows he has to take care of himself.

“It’s pretty intense once we get going,” he said. “You have to be careful that you keep your energy levels up by eating right and training to keep fit. You sweat a lot on stage too because of the bright lights and the costumes that weigh a ton.

“This year I even have to wear tights, including some particularly fetching bright yellow ones. But luckily I’ve got pretty good legs because I do a lot of cycling, so I’ll wear them with confidence.”

l See Jack and the Beanstalk at Thwaites Empire Theatre from Tuesday, December 8 to Sunday, January 3. For tickets call box office on 01254 685 500 or visit www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk