FORMER Journal sports editor David Hodgkinson gave me the shock of my life when he appeared in Corrie the other week.

He was spotted walking in the woods while Roy, Hayley and Wayne and Co were supposed to be on holiday in Derbyshire.

Atherton-born Dave, a long-time leading light in St Joseph's Players, only signed up as an extra a few months ago, and has already played a role as a doorman in Steve Coogan's second film to be released soon, 24 Hour Party People, about Manchester's legendary Hacienda Club -- and missed a call from Emmerdale.

Dave, who now lives in Leigh, and is not a Corrie fan, says the days filming at Delamere Forest was a delight as was the days filming with comedian Coogan. He got well fed and watered, and paid as well as the great experiences.

Nice work if you get get it, eh?

However, Dave, who now works as press officer for the Education Action Zone in Leigh, missed his TV debut because he was away on holiday.

He is the second of my former colleagues to have a part on the Street. He joins our old workmate Atherton-born Dave Dutton, who has played a variety of roles over the years -- the latest as the Weatherfield Gazette photographer.

And they're not the only local actors on the box, Tyldesley's Adam Waddington, a former Freddie's pupil, whose parents still live in Tyldesley, last week appeared as the doctor in Emmerdale.

I don't know how they do it. I couldn't get up on a stage to save my life. FORMER Journal sports editor David Hodgkinson gave me the shock of my life when he appeared in Corrie the other week.

He was spotted walking in the woods while Roy, Hayley and Wayne and Co were supposed to be on holiday in Derbyshire.

Atherton-born Dave, a long-time leading light in St Joseph's Players, only signed up as an extra a few months ago, and has already played a role as a doorman in Steve Coogan's second film to be released soon, 24 Hour Party People, about Manchester's legendary Hacienda Club -- and missed a call from Emmerdale.

Dave, who now lives in Leigh, and is not a Corrie fan, says the day's filming at Delamere Forest was a delight as was the days filming with comedian Coogan. He got well fed and watered, and paid as well as the great experiences.

Nice work if you get get it, eh?

However, Dave, who now works as press officer for the Education Action Zone in Leigh, missed his TV debut because he was away on holiday.

He is the second of my former colleagues to have a part on the Street. He joins our old workmate, Atherton-born Dave Dutton, who has played a variety of roles over the years -- the latest as the Weatherfield Gazette photographer.

And they're not the only local actors on the box -- Tyldesley's Adam Waddington, a former Freddie's pupil, whose parents still live in Tyldesley, last week appeared as the doctor in Emmerdale.

I don't know how they do it. I couldn't get up on a stage to save my life.