Not everyone can claim to have been chased down a corridor by a Dalek screaming `Exterminate!', but for Bruno Langley - best known for his role as Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street - it was all in a day's work on the set of Doctor Who.

"When they brought the Dalek onto the set, it was really exciting and everyone was taking photos," the 22-year-old remembers, though he admits he missed out on seeing the Doctor's legendary adversaries in action the first time around.

"I do remember Doctor Who being on, but it was a bit before my time. I liked Alien and Terminator and stuff like that."

And while it wouldn't be Doctor Who without the appearance of a Dalek, fans will be pleased to hear that the creatures are now more than a match for more recent alien counterparts - especially when it comes to tackling stairs.

"When you watch it, it's a bit like the Terminator films, when something's chasing after you and you can't stop it. You can use that as a metaphor for a lot of different things," says Bruno of the scene in which his character, boy genius Adam Mitchell discovers that stairs are definitely not a problem for the evil oversized pepperpots.

In fact, it's also rumoured that Adam, who helps the Doctor and his assistant Rose through their traumatic Dalek encounter, may also develop an evil streak.

"I do end up on the wrong side of the tracks," admits Bruno of the inquisitive Adam. "I get the Doctor and Rose into a bit of trouble because I like meddling with things. Him thinking he's a genius gets him into bother."

But, while Christopher Eccleston has confirmed he won't be returning to play the Doctor, Bruno reveals that the door is left open for Adam.

"There's a chance of me coming back if the storyline allows it. I'd love to do it," he smiles, having clearly relished his two months on the Doctor Who set.

High point

And he readily admits that flirting with Billie Piper was a high point: "We got on great - I was working with her for two months.

"She's a great girl. I think she's really got a lot going for her. She should probably make her way to America soon," he says of his famous co-star, though he's quick to add that there was no romance either off or onscreen for the duo.

"I think Adam's more interested in technology side of things," he adds. "Of course he fancies Rose, she's a gorgeous girl, but he's got more on his mind."

And Bruno does admit he could see himself as the Timelord, though the vacancy for the next Doctor has now been filled by Casanova star David Tennant.

"I would have loved to do it, but I've already been a character," he shrugs.

Instead, fans can catch the actor treading the boards this summer in a three-week theatre run as Romeo, opposite Scarlett Johnson - aka EastEnders' Vicki Fowler - in Romeo & Juliet at Stafford Castle.

"It's daunting," admits Bruno of his first foray into Shakespeare. "It's going to be a challenge, because I've not done professional theatre before."

But despite his nerves, Bruno has already proven that he can rise to a challenge, having been nominated for Best Actor at last year's Inside Soap, TV Quick and National TV Awards for his sensitive portrayal of confused Todd Grimshaw, Coronation Street's first gay character.

"At the moment I'm most recognised for that character. But it doesn't bother me," he says, though he quashes rumours of a spin-off series about Todd's move to London.

"I think that was taken out of context - I don't think so," he says, shaking his head, although he hasn't ruled out a return to The Street in the future.

"Not at the moment, but I won't say never," he smiles, admitting that he still keeps in touch with a couple of his Corrie co-stars - and still watches the show when he can.

"If I'm in I'll watch it. I still see Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz and Anthony Cotton who came in to play Sean Tully. I don't get to see them a lot though really, even though I live close to the set."

Now single, Bruno says one cast member he doesn't keep in touch with is ex-girlfriend Tina O'Brien, who still plays troubled teen Sarah Louise Platt.

"I don't see her. I wish her well though, bless her," he adds diplomatically.

Though Bruno appears to have survived his time on the notoriously gruelling soap unscathed, he sympathises with Suranne Jones, who recently admitted she suffered a breakdown and escaped to Australia after playing feisty Karen McDonald on The Street.

"I know what it's like," he says. "She must have been absolutely drained. I went to Australia as well actually. I went to the shores to enjoy life and have a bit of freedom afterwards.

"If you talk to anyone who's left the show after being in it for more than one or two years, they feel like a weight has been lifted."

He also admits that filming Doctor Who wasn't the change of pace he'd expected after the tough Coronation Street regime.

"I thought it would be a lot slower because of the CGI stuff, but it wasn't," says Bruno.

"I can imagine it was tough compared to films. I've only done small parts in films, but things go a lot slower on films, so I can imagine Christopher was pushed. He was the pivot point, so he had to be out there."

And he's obviously got a great deal of respect for his co-star. "The only people I aspire to are great actors - like Gary Oldman - and I do think of Chris as one of those guys.

"When I got the part, I thought, `I'm going to be working with him!', so that was the main point, because I knew I'd learn some good stuff."

However, it was Christopher's advice on the action behind the camera which really stuck with him.

"You've got to keep a fun atmosphere between takes - have a laugh," says Bruno of Christopher's teachings. "He's a serious guy, but I think that's something that gets magnified onscreen. You've got to have a laugh on the set, you can't just stand by until the camera rolls.

"It's funny, when you think of the guys in Lord Of The Rings, they were like family for three years, like me on Coronation Street for a couple of years, then I had to leave.

"So, if you're going to be an actor you have to be able to come and go. I'm learning that."

© Manchester Evening News, 26/4/05

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