Matthew James-Bailey has opened up about his first major TV role before finding fame on Hollyoaks.
The actor has played Ethan Williams since 2021 and has been at the centre of some of the Channel 4 soap’s most gripping storylines over the past two years.
From murdering his girlfriend Maya Harkwell and supplying drugs to becoming the co-owner of The Loft nightclub, Matthew has become a fan favourite amongst viewers.
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However, some fans may not know that Matthew appeared in a comedy drama series seven years ago and he had to get his kit off. The 2015 Channel 4 comedy drama series named Cucumber was created by Russell T Davies and explored 21st-century gay life of middle-aged protagonist Henry Best (Vincent Franklin).
(Image: Lime Pictures)
Cucumber was announced along with E4’s companion series Banana, and 4oD’s web series Tofu in November 2013. The titles of all three shows come from a scientific study into the male erection, which divided the erection into a hardness scale consisting of tofu, peeled banana, banana, and cucumber. Upon reading the study, Davies remarked at the time that “right there and then, I knew I had my drama”. The series ran for just one series with Davies confirming that Cucumber was a one and done story and would not return for a second series.
(Image: Red Production Company)
Speaking to Lee Salisbury on the first episode of the sixth series of the Soap From The Box podcast, which drops on Tuesday, February 20, about his “racy” role, Matthew said: “I remember there was this scene where we played the game Nervous., its when someone puts their hand on your thigh and they slowing move up, up and up and then you’d say ‘Nervous’. I was 17 or 18, having to stand there in my boxers, completely vulnerable, and playing the game Nervous. There was these blinding lights in our face and I was like ‘My Nan’s going to watch this’. I remember sitting there watching it with my family.”
(Image: PA)
In Hollyoaks, Ethan recently caught the eye of Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall) Ethan reciprocated Suzanne’s interest and he took her back to brother Dave William (Dominic Power) and Cindy Cunningham’s (Stephanie Waring) flat. Fans will have to wait and see if there’s more romance on the cards for Ethan.
Hollyoaks airs weeknights on E4 at 7pm followed by first-look episodes on Channel 4 streaming at 7.30pm and Soap From The Box is available here
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
