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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC Happy Valley's James Norton has radio host 'sweating' as he reads his dirty texts as Tommy Lee Royce

Viewers love to hate him as Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley but it appears James Norton's tones are perfect for reading out some of the more questionable messages he receives. The actor has been back on screens in recent weeks as the gritty BBC One drama has fans hooked once more.

The third - and final - installment of Happy Valley started earlier this month and will conclude next Sunday (February 5) following Sunday night's nail-biting penultimate episode. After seven years since series two came to an almighty end, viewers were reintroduced to Tommy who was still behind bars.

And his return to the show, despite being in prison, came after Sergeant Catherine Cawood discovered that her grandson Ryan, and her late daughter's rapist, was visiting his dad behind bars. It soon transpired that the visits were being facilitated by Catherine's sister, Clare Cartwright and her partner Neil Ackroyd.

READ MORE: BBC Happy Valley viewers say the same thing right at end of latest episode and fear 'disappointment'

But in a dramatic twist of events, after getting his son to attend his court hearing in Leeds over the murder of Gary Gaggowski, Tommy made a dramatic escape and viewers now know that he plans to flea to Spain, with Ryan, but not before trying to get his own back on Catherine.

Away from the BBC One show, James, who is being applauded for his portrayal of villain Tommy spoke with I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! star Jordan North on his Radio 1 show an revealed some of the x-rated messages he often receives on social media. "I know we're talking DMs later. I used to get some very strange [ones]," James began when chatting on the radio show.

He went on to add: "Yeah, it was quite inappropriate - I used to get a little bit weirded out. They would sort of say stuff like 'I can't - you're such a monster' and follow up with 'take me to your cellar'"

Later on in the show, the BBC Radio 1 studio got 'sweaty' thanks to James switching from his own accent in order read out some saucy direct messages out for those listening along. The actor, who sounds much different to Tommy without a strong Yorkshire accent. As he started to read some messages out, Jordan asked him: "Do you know what? Now you've mentioned [Tommy], can you do the next one in his accent?"

Laughing, the actor obliged and changed his tone to read out listener Liz's message about a fruit fanatic. "I've fallen in love," James began saying in Tommy's accent, but bursting out laughing. "Literally everyone in the studio is freaking out," Jordan exclaimed. "The girls in the studio are freaking - I've gone sweaty!" he added.

James continued on, saying "I've fallen in love with ya and I'd like to be your banana partner." Switching back to his usual way of speaking, the TV and film star asked: "Sorry but what on earth is that?" And the comments were soon being filled with messages under the video on Radio 1's TikTok account.

Schuh Schuh Gal said: "I shouldn’t but I really like the Tommy voice." Schuh Schuh Gal wrote: "I shouldn’t but I really like the Tommy voice." BeanyGirl commented: "you know you're a good actor when you play an horrific bad guy but everyone is still in love with you." But others weren't so sure.

Andrea Towers posted: "Errr not sure about this. He plays a sadistic murdering rapist? James is a sexy man sure, but his character Tommy is a violent rapist." Jemma K added: "Why would girls be freaking out over his Tommy voice ew."

Have a go at our quiz below or via this link to see which Happy Valley character you are:

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