IT feels like just minutes ago since Sam Aston burst onto the screen as Coronation Street’s Chesney.

However, the Lancashire-born actor is all grown up having played the role for almost 18 years.

Sam recently became a dad to Sonny, who recently turned one.

The Corrie star told OK! Magazine all about the trials and tribulations of parenthood in an exclusive interview.

Sam, who lives in Rossendale with his wife Briony, also opened up about which Corrie stars have seen him- and if his new-found fatherhood has changed his career plans to remain on the cobbles.

The 28-year-old told the publication that his first year as a parent has been “hard to put into words”.

He added: “Just watching this tiny baby, who was six weeks premature, grow and now be doing so well is amazing. It’s such a roller coaster.”

Sam explained that it was a “bit of a shock” for him to have the baby arrive so early.

(Instagram/@samaston93)

He explained: “I had no idea she was going to stay in overnight and have the baby the next day!

“I woke up at 7am and I was about to take the dogs for a walk and Briony rang me and said, ‘I’m 2cm dilated, you need to come in!’

“I was like, “what? I need to take the dogs out,’ and she was like, ‘There’s no time!’

“By 5.50pm he’d arrived. I was able to stay for a few hours before going home.

“I just sat down with a beer and thought, ‘What just happened? I’m a dad!’.

“It was so bizarre. It was a whirlwind and felt like an out-of-body experience.”

In his first year, little Sonny has already brushed shoulders with some famous faces, meeting some of the Corrie cast.

Sam said he’s met Brooke [Vincent] and Dolly [-Rose Campbell].

He explained: “We went to a baby brunch with Brooke and Dolly lives near us so she’s seen him on a walk.

“Because of Covid we’ve had to be so careful and things have only just started easing.

With filming, things are still distanced and all the rules and regulations are in place.

“I haven’t taken him into work yet but everyone has seen him on FaceTime.”

Sam has been on Corrie for nearly 18 years now -but has fatherhood changed his career outlook?

(Instagram/@samaston93)

Sam explained: “I’ve been there more than half my life. I don’t see myself leaving. Right now I absolutely love playing Chesney.

“I get to work with Dolly who plays Gemma and she’s fantastic, and I have great friends there like Alan, Andy [Whyment] and Jennie [McAlpine].

“As long as they want to keep me, I’ll be there! I feel lucky to have the job. I can see why people stay for so long.

“I’ve been so fortunate to have Corrie. I’ve never struggled or had to be out there auditioning.”

However, Sam also explained that being a child actor has consequences and many people still remember his as the young boy they used to see on their screens.

He said: “Everyone saw me as this little kid and would grab my cheeks! The other one people still remember is the Warburtons advert I did when I was six.

“[However], since the quad storyline people expect to see me with a pram full of kids.

“Whenever I’m with Sonny, people say, ‘I bet one is easier than four!’

“Before I always used to get, ‘Where’s Schmeichel?’ (a dog on Coronation Street) even when I was 19.”

The late-night feeds and endless nappy changes don’t seem to have put the couple off from having another child.

Briony said she would “love to have brothers and sisters” for sonny with Sam adding “it would be nice to fill the house”.

Sam added: “I think two is a nice number. I’m one of nine and put it this way, we won’t be having nine!”

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