Ben Hardy was thrown in a the deep end at the beginning of his career as he was forced to strip completely naked for a role.
The actor, who turns 33 today (January 2), is best known for playing Peter Beale in EastEnders from 2013 to 2015. But before his soap career kicked off, the Bohemian Rhapsody star tackled one of his most challenging roles.
In 2012, the actor starred as Arthur Wellesley in the David Hare play The Judass Kiss opposite Rupert Everett. The production featured plenty of nude scenes which Ben later described as “mortifying”.
READ MORE: Hollyoaks and EastEnders star, 68, talks ‘magic pill’ as she opens up on ageless beauty
READ MORE: Want more TV? Daily Star has just the thing for you!
Opening up about stripping off, the former soap star previously told The Sun: “It was incredibly nerve-wracking. To the point where I almost said no because I was so scared.”
(Image: BBC)
Ben even considered giving up the role, adding: “I was so mortified. I was ringing my agent and saying, ‘I’m not sure I can do this’.” Despite the initial struggle, the X-Men star admitted the role helped him prepare for EastEnders as he not longer had “acting fears”.
Prior to making his debut, Ben said: “This is my first telly role but I’ve done countless kissing scenes in the past. The last play I did I was naked, simulating sex – so for me a kissing scene on EastEnders will be a doddle!”
(Image: BBC)
The role also prepared him in other ways as Ben often whipped of his shirt while starring as Peter. But years after his exit, the former soap star appeared to change his attitude toward shirtless acting since. In 2018, Ben starred in the BBC adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ 1860 novel The Woman In White.
During filming, the Hollywood star explained that he refused to take part in a half-naked scene, opting for comfy pyjamas instead. Speaking on This Morning, he told former hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: “I was presented with the option of nice Victorian pajamas or being topless. And I chose the former.”
(Image: BBC/Steven Peskett)
Join the Daily Star Soaps WhatsApp for all the latest spoilers and exclusives
“It felt for this piece that [being shirtless] could have been gratuitous,” he added. When Phil pointed out that he had no problem taking his shirt off in EastEnders, Ben responded: “I was young in EastEnders and had to do as I was told.”
He recalled a scene which involved him taking a hoodie off but was asked to remove his T-Shirt at the same. He said: “I took of my hoodie and then my T-shirt to then give her my T-shirt and put my hoodie back on. I could have just given her my T-shirt! But there you go.”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
