Corrie star reveals he was rejected from soap four times before landing current role

A CORONATION Street actor has revealed he was rejected four times from the soap before landing his role.

Andrew Hayden-Smith is known for portraying Pete Lang on the soap, a role he began in October last year.

And while Andrew may appear a natural on the small screen, he has now revealed just how difficult it was to bag a spot on the cobbles.

Writing on Instagram, he revealed: “I’ve been an actor for 30 years. It’s not always plain sailing, but I’m very grateful for the roles I’ve played and the opportunities I’ve been incredibly lucky enough to have.

“Over the years, whenever I haven’t been working, people always used to say to me, ‘Well, can you not just get a job on Corrie?’ Like it’s that easy! Oh yeah, I’ll just give them a call and tell them I’d like a part. Give over man!

“The truth is, I’d been trying. I auditioned for Coronation Street FOUR times before I finally got a part. Two of those times were screen tests.

Four times I got the call, prepared the scenes, did the audition, allowed myself to think maybe this is the one… and four times, it wasn’t.”

Andrew was then offered a fifth audition, this time for the character of Pete.

Admitting this was one that he was really keen to bag, Andrew continued: “Something about this one felt different. I loved the character, I loved the storyline and I desperately wanted to finally get the chance to walk onto those cobbles.

“And this time, after four auditions. After four no’s. After years of wanting to work on the show, I’d only bloody got it! Finally, I was off to Weatherfield.”

Signing off his post, Andrew encouraged fellow actors and his followers to “keep going” and to use his story as motivation.

Andrew is known for appearing in Byker Grove, in which he played Ben Carter from 1996 until 2003.

He has also previously appeared in Hollyoaks.