Interviews
Do you ever not want to act out certain story-lines? Asks Cara Davies
Not really because it is only a story. As long as it’s not too extreme I don’t mind. I like playing a bad boy because it’s easier than playing a hero. Also you can smash windows and get away with it!
If you could play another role, what would it be? Asks Jean Malcolm
I’d love to appear in a big Hollywood action movie and star opposite Cameron Diaz. I’ve always dreamed about playing James Bond too!
Did you always want to be an actor? Asks Allison Kerr
When I was younger I was really into sports, especially swimming. I swam every single day and entered competitions but acting was always in the background. I had to choose between swimming and acting and I chose acting when I got the part in EastEnders.
What do you do in your spare time? Asks Andrew Palmer
Go to school! I play basketball and go out with my mates - the usual things that any 15-year-old would do.
Has being on EastEnders changed your life? Asks Lottie
Definitely! How could it not? Some actors claim that fame doesn’t change you but it has to when people are talking about you. I try and stay as normal as I can and I’ve not become big-headed but you do have to change to cope with it.
What do you like most about working on EastEnders? Asks Leanne German
It’s a dream come true for me. One of my ambitions was to appear on television, especially EastEnders because my whole family watches it. Has it lived up to my expectations? Definitely!
Of all the cast members which actor do you admire most? Asks Shelle Jenkinson
Wendy Richard who plays Pauline Fowler because she helped me enormously when I first started. She gave me confidence because I was very nervous when I joined the show. I was a bit star-struck at first! I look up to all the older cast members, especially people like Barbara Windsor who I used to watch on TV when I was growing up.
When Martin gets in trouble do you get shouted at in the street? Asks Margaret Graham
Definitely! I get little old ladies telling me I should treat my mum better. It’s never nasty thankfully because they’re fans of the show.
What’s been your best scene in EastEnders? Asks Rachael Corrall
I liked all the scenes when Martin was in a gang because I got paid to have a laugh and muck around with people my own age! The story about Sonia’s pregnancy scare was good as well. As serious as it may have seemed on-screen, Natalie Cassidy and I had a real laugh because I’ve known her for quite a few years now.
Who do you get on best with off-screen? Asks Cheryl Deare
The younger cast mainly - Natalie Cassidy (Sonia), Carly Hillman (Nicky) and Jack Ryder (Jamie). They’re all my age and we always have a laugh when the cameras stop filming.
James talks about his autition
Q. And how did you get the part?
A. through my drama group - Anna Schers...I went once a week and I got an audition through that. I had loads of audition before that on for EastEnders, I didn't know it was for EastEnders and I got one and I got a recall and.....
Q. What do you mean when you say you didn't know it was for EastEnders?
A. I don't know, it's just what I said, I didn't know. I went for the audition, I was not sure what it was for and I just did my bit and I got it.
Q. How soon after the audition did you actually find out that you had the part?
A. I can't actually remember, I think it was about a week after that I got a recall, and I did a little scene with Todd Carty who plays Mark, and I think about a week after that I got told, it was my last day at Primary School when I actually got told, so it was pretty good. My mum come up my school and my teacher gave her a glass of wine to drink. My mum was crying actually, but I was ecstatic, it was brilliant, I 'd never got a part in my life and then suddenly, I'm in EE you know what I mean, it's mental.
James talks about his spare time
Q. What do you do in your spare time these days?
A. I play basketball a lot - yeah last weekend , I played in a three on three competition with my mates, we didn't do that good, we're not a very good three on three team - we play just team basketball and we played at Wembley a few times. We played a 'Sainsbury Classic Cola' competition, it was just a knockout competition, we got to the semi finals which ain't bad, rough team but er,! they were better than us so...
Q. Did they know who you were and do you think they were particularly rough with you because of who you are?
A. Yeah, a couple of times and that, maybe it distracted them a bit so, maybe - it may have been a bit of an advantage.
James talks about his love life
Q. Do you have a girlfriend?
A. I don't have a girlfriend at the moment.
Q. When you say at the moment, does that mean there was a girlfriend or is there one in the pipeline?
A. No, I'm saying nothing , na! There's two girls I fancy at my school and things...
Q. But they don't know?
A. I don't think so, no
Q. So what you going to do about it?
A. Hey, that's for me to know.....
