ALWAYS THE BAD GUY?

After playing evil Joel in Corrie, Calum Lill is treading the boards as a pantomime villain. Oh, yes he is!

-  KIESHA DOSANJH AND ALICE PENWILL

After 15 very dramatic months, Joel Deering's time on Coronation Street has finally come to an end. But actor Calum Lill isn't taking time out, and is about to tackle a very different role this festive season.

"I'm doing panto in Bournemouth - I'm playing the baddie in Jack And The Beanstalk," laughs Calum.

"Obviously, the baddie is the giant, so there's a 3D giant with a normal, human-sized henchman in Lycra and a green top hat, which will be me."

To get in the mood to play villain Joel, Calum had to psych himself up. But for his pantomime villain, he's ditched that approach. "To be Joel, I was listening to dark music and rocking in a corner.

"I was reading the panto script the other day and was trying to do the same for it, but then I realised, I don't need to tear myself to pieces in a corner listening to scary music!

"I think it's going to be a nice, welcome break from attacking teenage girls," he laughs.

"I've had an unbroken streak of playing villains. Maybe one day someone will give me the chance to play someone who's not a baddie, we'll see."

While he's already bagged himself another job, Calum confessed that Coronation Street was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He explains that he hadn't worked in the acting industry for two years before playing Joel, but assures us he's had the best year at ITV.