British actor James Murray stated his early career appearance on the ITV serial drama Coronation Street was a frightening experience that permanently deterred him from the daily soap opera format.
During an interview broadcast Sunday morning on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend, Murray described the rapid television production cycle as a “sausage factory” that left little room for creative input. The actor, who played the minor role of Sandy the barman for a three-episode arc, admitted to overlearning his lines and physically shaking under the studio lighting.
Murray credited the late Bill Tarmey, known for his long-running role as Jack Duckworth, with intervening during a difficult scene at the Rovers Return set. According to Murray, Tarmey noticed the young actor’s severe nerves while handling a prop glass and offered blunt advice.
“You’re shaking like a leaf, son, either stop shaking or think of doing something else,” Tarmey told him.
The high-pressure environment of the Manchester-based production immediately pushed Murray away from continuous serial dramas. He subsequently directed his career toward theatre and standard episodic television. Murray most recently appeared as Raef Lonsdale in the 2025 BBC drama series Wild Cherry.
Despite his personal aversion to the format, Murray clarified his remarks were not a criticism of the Coronation Street ensemble. He expressed profound respect for the cast members who maintain the grueling daily production schedule, stating his “hat goes off to the way they act in those shows because it’s so quick.”