I remember my first day like it was yesterday it felt as if I was coming home

He landed role after writing to bosses

- LAURA ARMSTRONG

With his fledgling TV career beginning to take off, Antony Cotton reckoned a role on Britain's biggest show might be right up his street.

He wrote to Corrie bosses asking for work, and he was amazed when his very long shot paid off.

Antony landed the role of Sean Tully on the ITV soap in 2003, and the character's warmth, wit and cheeky puns are now part of the fabric.

And as he celebrates 21 years on the cobbles he is still thanking his lucky stars that he wrote that letter.

Speaking about the approaching anniversary, Antony, 48, said: "Should they have a special to celebrate? I'm just thanking every heartbeat as it comes along. I'm very happy, very lucky.

"I do remember my first day on Corrie... as if it was yesterday.

"But I wasn't nervous, it felt like coming home because I knew so many people who had been in and out.

"Suranne Jones [who played Karen McDonald] was there, Sally Lindsay [who played Shelley Unwin] was there.

"I knew some of the writing team, you know, I asked for the job.

"I wrote and asked for the job, which is not a recommended way of getting gainful employment.

"But that's how I ended up there, it worked. You can't do that nowadays.

"Everything's changing, the world's a different place."

Antony, whose earlier TV jobs included roles on Channel 4 drama series Queer as Folk, and BBC Choice sitcom Having It Off, added: "Corrie is special to me. I love where I work and I'm very, very proud of it.

"I'm most proud of the platform it's given me for things like my work with the armed forces.