Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson has announced plans to branch out with an exciting new theatre project.
The popular actor has been cast in the stage version of Kay Mellor's classic crime drama Band of Gold, which will tour the UK in late 2019 and early 2020.
Kieron will be juggling his new project alongside his Hollyoaks filming commitments, so fans don't need to worry about his future as Ste Hay in the Channel 4 soap.
Announcing the news exclusively to Digital Spy, Kieron explained: "I've never done theatre before. My old acting teacher works with the casting director who was putting the cast together for Band of Gold and thought I would be right for the role.
"I went to audition and I haven't had an audition for nearly 13 years, so I was absolutely bricking it! Especially auditioning in front of someone like Kay Mellor, who for me is a legend as well. I was so nervous. I came away thinking: 'No way, no chance', but I was offered the role.
"I had to ask Hollyoaks if I could do it and our executive producer Bryan Kirkwood, being the supportive boss that he is, said: 'Yes, absolutely.' He's letting me do it and I can't wait."
Band of Gold ran for three series on ITV between 1995 and 1997, telling the story of sex workers in Bradford. The hit show was watched by 15 million viewers weekly and key cast members included Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson, Barbara Dixon and Samantha Morton.
Kieron told us: "Band of Gold, for me, is one of the first dramas that gripped the whole country. Nowadays you've got shows like Line of Duty, but if you think back to what started it, for me it was Band of Gold. So the fact that I get to be in the stage version is amazing.
"I'm playing a wife-beater called Steve, so not too distant from Ste! I've heard some of the other names that they're casting for it, which I don't think I can reveal yet. But it sounds like it's going to be amazing.
"I'm really nervous, though, as it's going to be something completely different."
Kieron's Hollyoaks character Ste is currently taking centre stage in a groundbreaking far-right extremism story, which still has a long way to go on screen.
He added: "I'm doing both Band of Gold and Hollyoaks at the same time. Band of Gold is a long tour, as it starts from November and runs to March.
"Ste's story is also still running until 2020. There'll probably be a few weeks where I'm just doing the tour, but then I'll obviously be straight back to Hollyoaks.
"I know people will automatically think I'm leaving the show, but it's absolutely not the case. I am Hollyoaks till I die. Literally, they will have to kill me to get rid of me! I can't imagine ever saying: 'That's it, I want to hang up Ste's tracksuits for good.'
"I'm really grateful that Bryan is letting me do this alongside Hollyoaks. I'd be stupid to turn my back on the show. I'd never get too big for my boots and go: 'See ya.'
Band of Gold will launch at the Leeds Grand Theatre in November.
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Hollyoaks homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Hollyoaks spoilers, as Mercedes is targeted by a blackmailer and Harry's fight to clear his name continues.
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
