TWO acting pals today told of how they live the life portrayed in comedian Ricky Gervais's hit show - working as TV extras.

Bus driver Andrew Holder and transport planner Tim Paley said life as struggling actors was exactly how it is portrayed in the BBC2 comedy Extras.

Tim, 47, of Avallon Way, Darwen, has been in the business for six years. His roles have included 'man in quiz' in Channel 4's Phoenix Nights, 'desk sergeant' in BBC drama Sparkhouse in 2002, 'security guard' and 'airline passenger' in ITV's comedy Cold Feet, 'courtroom clerk' in Coronation Street and 'caretaker' in soap Hollyoaks.

And eagle-eyed viewers may have seen Andrew, 50, of Laurel Avenue, as a court clerk also in Hollyoaks.

"Ricky Gervais's comedy is very much true to life," explained Tim. "You're sat around for long periods on a freezing cold bus waiting for your call, which might never come. It's hard work.

"It's OK though because you still get paid. It's about £70 a day for a walk-on part. If you get interaction with the star you're talking £90 -- and for a few lines it can be £110."

Tim's latest job, as a 1960s coal yard worker who finds his boss dead in the opening scenes of Heartbeat, will hit our screens on ITV on Sunday at 8pm.

The dad of two, who works as Blackburn with Darwen Council's assistant co-ordinator for bus transport, said he no longer considers himself a background extra but a semi-professional actor, having graduated to the heights aspired to by all extras -- small speaking parts. He said: "I suppose you could say I've come up through the ranks. It's been hard graft though.

"I first got into the business when they started filming Hetty Wainthropp Investigates in Darwen. I was running a bus company at the time and the BBC approached us looking for someone to play a bus driver.

"I volunteered and ended up in two episodes. I got talking to some of the people and they gave me details for agencies in Manchester. One of them took me on."

And he admitted it would be a dream to pack in his day job to act full-time. "You're always waiting for that call from Corrie or Emmerdale saying 'We've got a part for you with a two-year contract.' I'd be off like a shot!"

Andrew got into the job four years ago after meeting Tim at Bolton comic Peter Kay's wedding. Andrew was hired to drive guests from the church in Bolton to Mytton Fold, Langho, and the pair got chatting.

He said: "A good extra can blend into a crowd. You can't have film star looks. You can be fat, thin, black, white or whatever. As long as you're not too good looking."

But unlike Gervais's character, who tries to get his foot in the door by pestering stars, Tim and Andrew say they would never do that on set.

"We're told not to speak to the actors," added Andrew, "and asking for autographs is definitely taboo."