GRANTCHESTER'S RISHI NAIR ON ACTING JITTERS

My first scene was punching Robson Green in the face... I thought I'd get my P45

- BY MARC BAKER

Pulling into Grantchester in a racy red Triumph, dishy vicar Alphy Kottaram displayed decidedly un-Christian behaviour by punching DI Geordie Keating on the nose.

Wincing as he recalls the moment he assaulted his costar Robson Green, actor Rishi Nair says: "I was so nervous being the new kid. My first scene was punching Robson in the face and I was like 'don't break his nose as I will get my P45'.

"It was scary when I first joined, as they were already in season nine. You get the job and you are super-excited and happy and then you think 'oh God, don't cancel this show after one season'.

Fortunately, 61-year-old Robson's face remained intact and so did Rishi's contract, and the 10th and penultimate series airs its second episode tonight on ITV1 at 9pm.

Joining the show in 2024, former Hollyoaks star Rishi's violent encounter came when Robson's character mistook him for a burglar at the Grantchester vicarage.

But Rishi, 34, says the pair are firm friends in real life as well as solving whodunnits together weekly on TV.

He says of the day producers checked he and his costar could work together: "When I first came in to do the chemistry check I was like 'don't mess this up'.

"But when Robson saw me he gave me a big hug and I felt so relaxed. We just started talking about football for 15 minutes."

As Grantchester's third priest, following in the dog collar of James Norton and Tom Brittney, Rishi is now recognised by fans in the street.