Coronation Street icon addresses career move as he says one job he’d ‘never do’

UNIVERSAL: When it comes to acting, Antony Cotton of Coronation Street has been open to trying any plot, but there’s one choice he says he would “absolutely never” make.

**Antony Cotton from Corrie at the Manchester press night for Cirque du Soleil (Image: REX)**

On Wednesday, during the Cirque du Soleil press night at Manchester’s AO Arena, Antony Cotton, star of Coronation Street, joined Express.co.uk for a red carpet appearance. During the event, he revealed the one restriction he would place on his career. Despite being a longtime admirer of Cirque du Soleil, Sean Tully stated that he would “never” try any of their intricate routines.
“Acrobatics?,” he shot back when asked if he would consider playing a part in one of the renowned performances throughout the world. Not at all. You leave that to acrobats who have practiced it their entire lives, not to fools like me!”

As did his Strictly Come Dancing co-star and girlfriend Molly Rainford, Tyler West stated he would be open to attempting it when asked the same subject earlier in the year. But Antony said that he would much rather watch from the comfort of his audience seat, taking in the trapeze skills, backflips, and amazing jumps from the roof.

He has been doing that for decades, ever since seeing Saltimbanko, the first Cirque show he ever watched. “His favourite” show to date, it started out as a “celebration of life” in the 1990s against a backdrop of international warfare.

He was also drawn to the one that is presently showing in Manchester, Ovo, which derives its name from the Portuguese word for “egg” and uses dance to explore the world of insects. “They’re all brilliant,” he exclaimed.

**Antony Cotton has loved Cirque du Soleil shows for decades (Image: REX)**

Along with a number of Hollyoaks actors, his Corrie co-stars, Sally Carman (who portrays Abi Franklin) and Tim Metcalfe (played by Joe Duttine), were also present at the performance.

Aside from that, Antony was eager to express his “joy” at working with Dylan Wilson, Liam McCheyne’s on-screen son.

Even though Dylan was accused of flashing a knife at a youngster who was previously a close friend, he maintained that the scheme was not at all “harrowing”.

“I love Dylan and he’s a pleasure to deal with. Though it’s fictitious, the plot is rather serious. You recall that still, right?” he clarified.

**Antony Cotton shared a snap with members of the cast on Instagram afterwards (Image: INSTAGRAM)**

“I’ve absolutely loved… every minute of [the storyline].”

Antony went on to say that he’s known Liam and his twin brother Connor since they were “babes in arms”; Connor is the inspiration for the name of Corrie’s bullying character, Liam Connor (Charlie Wrenshall).

They’ve been in my life since they were little. He said, “I have pictures of myself with both of them when they were very tiny.

“I’ve no idea how Dylan’s character will develop as it’s not written yet, so we’ll have to wait and see how it’s written…. [but] the storyline is going to continue for the rest of the year.”