Corrie's Todd is playing Billie Piper's new love interest in Doctor Who. He talks to Chris Longridge.

You're going to be in Doctor Who. How mad is that?
Pretty mad. It is mad. That's all I can say!

Did you watch it as a kid?
No, not really. I knew of it. Our generation knows more about the memorabilia side than the drama.

What's it like filming it?
It's really great. It was good to come into a team who'd been working on it for a while. Especially Chris [Eccleston] and Billie [Piper], who'd been working together for a couple of months. They're both brilliant actors. I admire Chris a lot.

Was it like being the new kid at school?
Yeah, but being an actor, you're always moving around being the new kid, so it's something I've got to get used to. I enjoy a bit of a challenge.

How did you get on with Chris and Billie?
Great, great. They were brilliant to work with, a lot of fun. Chris is very serious about his work, and I imagined he'd be as serious when the cameras are off, but he's not, he's a great laugh. He's just a Salford lad, you know? And Billie's a nice girl. Always good to talk to - have a laugh with.

Is your character a love interest for her?
They do fancy each other. But certain things get in the way of that, so they don't hook up, so to speak. But he really likes her, and he's not seen a girl in ages because he's been locked away in a lab!

So no snog then?
Ah, no.

Have you been out drinking with her?
We had a couple in the hotel bar...

Is it true she can put it away?
Ha ha! What are you talking about? I'm sure I don't understand! I don't know about her, because I can never remember - I'm always the first one gone.

Do you miss working on Corrie?
I miss all the guys.

Who do you keep in touch with?
Not many, actually. Schmeichel [the dog] - we have correspondence every day! I miss Bill Roache, Sue Nicholls, all those guys.

Is it true there's going to be a Todd spin-off series?
I don't think so. I've no idea what was actually said, but I think the writer said something in an interview that got taken out of context.

Do people assume that you're gay?
No, not at all. They're pretty clued up about it. Those that can remember my name's Bruno not Todd, anyway.

Has playing a famously gay character made it harder to pull?
Ha! No, I've always been pretty good at that! Nothing can stop me.

Are you single at the moment?
Yeah, I am.

So you'll be using your non-gay skills at the weekend then?
I dare say.

© Heat Magazine, 26/4/05

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