As crime drama Bloodlands returns to our screens on Sunday, star James Nesbitt has shared details of his former job that is a world away from acting.
The world-renowned actor, known for Cold Feet and Bloody Sunday, revealed that he once worked at one of Northern Ireland's most iconic holiday locations - Barry's Amusements - as a teen.
Speaking at a set visit of Bloodlands 2, Nesbitt spilt the beans about his job at the amusement complex, which is now renamed Curry's Fun Park, when responding to a question about the series 3 episode of Derry Girls filmed there.
Read more: James Nesbitt says Bloodlands 2 will be as 'dramatic and exciting' as series one
"I used to work in Barry's for years - I was the brakeman on the Big Dipper. Back in the day, I was 17 and that was my summer of love - 'Thanks very much girls I hope you enjoyed your ride'," he joked.
He also chatted about what it was like to work with two of his former Cold Feet co-stars Ian McElhinney and Victoria Smurfit.
"Him [DCI Brannick] being revealed as Goliath came to an audience quiet early on in episode two where all of a sudden he shot Ian McElhinney - I've been waiting a lifetime to do that," he laughed.
"Ian was Bill Sykes when I was the Artful Dodger 44 years ago and then we worked together a lot. He played my father in Cold Feet among other things.
"He was such an inspiration to me."
When asked about Ian's take on being shot by James' character, he responded that the Derry Girls actor no doubt "would have been on to something the next day".
He continued: "Ian doesn't hang around. I think he enjoyed [being shot by DCI Brannick] actually - he was brilliant, he's such a fantastic actor and we were sorry to lose him."
Another former Cold Feet co-star Victoria Smurfit has joined the cast for season two as Olivia, an enigmatic widow at the centre of Brannick’s latest case whose intentions may be far from innocent.
James revealed the pair shared a touching moment on her first day at Bloodlands.
He said: "Victoria and I recreated a photo of us from Cold Feet right beside each other and we recreated it here the first day we were filming - 24 years later.
"It's great to work with Vic."
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