Bruno Langley has something of a young Oliver Reed about him. smouldering good looks, set off by an olive complexion and short dark hair, are topped by a cheeky boyish grin. Add to that his not inconsiderable talent and it is little wonder the young actor is tipped for the top.

For almost four years, Bruno has played Coronation Street's sexually confused teenager Todd Grimshaw with genuine sensitivity. In real life. Bruno has no such demons to battle, and the quiet charm, easy smile and gentle manners that made him a favourite with millions of viewers are there in abundance.

But mention his status as both a heartthrob and gay icon and his embarrassed reaction is pure Todd. There is a grin and a long pause before he opens his mouth, then modestly shakes his head as if not quite sure what to say.

Bruno had better get used to dealing with such accolades, for he has just received his biggest and best yet - a nomination for Most Popular Actor at the National Television Awards. This year he featured in one of Coronation Street's most gripping storylines - his character Todd realised he was gay, only to discover that fiancée Sarah Platt was expecting his baby. With such high drama it was no surprise to learn that he had made the original list of nominations, which featured more than 40 actors. But when that list was whittled down to just five, 21-year-old Bruno could hardly believe his name was among them: his fellow nominees are TV' veteran David Jason, EostEnders stars Shane Richie and Nigel Harman and James Nesbitt.

"It makes me feel very proud, but at the same time very nervous," Bruno admits. "It's been my dream to be an actor since I was six. and to be on the same short list as actors such as David Jason is just incredible. Until now, I've only ever been nominated for Sexiest Male and Best Kiss - and I've never won any of them!"

The nomination caps an incredible year for Bruno, who left the Street at the end of September. His decision to go surprised many, but he had no doubts. "I began to feel I'd not really lived. Coronation Street was, a great opportunity. It had a big impact on my life and if it weren't for the show I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now. But I've not travelled and I've not seen the world, which is one of my ambitions. My parents are from Australia and I'd love to go there. I'm the only member of my family who hasn't visited yet.

"I also want to develop myself as an actor and play other characters. If I'd staved another two years it would have been a lot harder for people to see me as anyone other than Todd. It wasn't a decision I made lightly; I thought about it for two months beforehand, but there came a point where, if I signed for another year, I had to ask myself, 'Would I be happy?'' and I don't think I would have been. And you've got to choose happiness, haven't you? You have to follow what your heart says."

Since his shock exit - Bruno's character Todd headed for London to start a new life after finding his former girlfriend Sarah in bed with his brother Jason - life has been a hectic round of auditions and meetings with casting directors. And Bruno has already landed parts in the new BBC Dr Who series and the upcoming League of Gentleman film Royston Vasey: The Movie. "If you really believe in yourself you can do it and I think I can," he says determinedly.

Bruno first appeared in Coronation Street in 2000, playing Candice Stowe's boyfriend Darren. "It was one episode and I had no lines, so I ad-libbed. I said, 'Hi.' You've got to grab your chance to make a mark when you can!" Bruno laughs.

Six months later he was invited back to play Todd, the youngest son of single mum Eileen Grimshaw. He quickly settled into the role and became good friends with the other younger cast members, including 21-year-old Tina O'Brien — his on-screen girlfriend Sarah Platt. The couple eventually began dating off set, too, and were together for two years before splitting up last year.

At the time they fiercely guarded their privacy, and Bruno is still reluctant to talk about the relationship.

"We both felt that it was personal and we wanted to keep it that way," he explains. "When we split up it was tricky, of course. But people get through things and you're stronger for getting through them."

Then, in a case of life imitating art, earlier this year Tina began dating actor Ryan Thomas, Bruno's former flatmate and his on-screen brother Jason. When asked whether their relationship upset him, he hesitates before answering carefully.

'That was up to them. It was nothing to do with me," he says firmly. "Of course, it was slightly awkward, but we're all grown-ups and professionals and it would have been stupid to have been anything but that. Right now I'm just enjoying being single."

Bruno was born in Norfolk and grew up in Buxton, Derbyshire, the third youngest of eight children. He decided he wanted to be an actor after his father took him to the cinema as a small child. He joined the local Rec Theatre Company when he was just nine and left school at 16 to study at drama college. Two years later he was on national television.

Many young soap stars find it hard to cope with the pressure of growing up in the public eye. but Bruno quickly showed a calm and maturity beyond his years. He has never been the subject of lurid tabloid headlines, nor has he been caught on camera stumbling out of a nightclub in the early hours. "But I can be wild when I want to be," he insists with a grin.

When Bruno joined the show he had no idea his character would eventually struggle with his sexuality. But his touching portrayal of Todd's torment won him an army of fans. "So many good things have come from it and I can count on one hand the number of people who have made abusive comments. At the same time I received a lot of letters from young men who identify with Todd and they just blow me away. What they have been through is incredible."

He may have bowed out of Coronation Street for now. but Bruno admits he can see himself returning one day.

"I think it's important for Todd to come back for a few episodes at some point. Everyone has seen him so distraught, it would be nice to show he's alive and happy," he explains. "But as a kid I always loved action movies and I suppose my ultimate ambition would be to play a ladies' man - a James Bond-type character. That would be really cool."

© Hello! Magazine, 5/10/04

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