Ex-EastEnders star Shaun Williamson reveals why he never struggles to find work acting!

Shaun Williamson knows why he’s so in-demand as a stage actor.

“I’m cheap and grateful, so I always get work,” he laughs.

Since Shaun left Eastenders and the much-loved character of Barry behind in 2004, he’s appeared in a staggering 25 stage shows.

That’s more than two a year, which means a lot of time away from home and living out of a suitcase.

“You know, this is my work. I much prefer doing this than sitting at home with sweaty palms waiting for the phone to ring for that episode of Midsomer Murders.

“I’m not one of those actors lucky enough to jump around between mediums, I just go where the work is.

“Ten of the 25 shows have been pantos, but I’ve also done productions like Saturday Night Fever and Guys and Dolls.

“Sometimes I also like to go back to the smaller venues for £250 a week.

“I was late getting into acting and when I came out of drama school I was 30.

“It had always been my ambition to be a stage actor, but then I got Eastenders for 10 years.

“So when I left there in 2004 I knew the stage was what I wanted and I had some catching up to do.

“Your loved ones get used to you being on the road my two children are older now.

“When they were very young I was in Eastenders and I always made sure I was home to read them a book and do the nappy changes.

“But this is normal to them, this is Dad’s job.”

Having been up and down Britain’s motorways so often means Shaun, who turns 50 later this year, now knows the best places to stay and eat.

“I have a little black book for my gigs,” he smiles.

“When I get the tour schedule through I’ll consult my book for the places to go or avoid.

“It can be quite a stressful experience, so it helps to be prepared.

“Colleagues ask for recommendations and I don’t mind passing on information once I’ve made my bookings!

“I actually don’t like staying in hotels, especially when you’ve been working late and need to be down for breakfast by 9am.

“I prefer a self-catering place. I usually try to get somewhere central for the social life, but there are other times I take myself away somewhere quiet.

“Recently I was in Stoke and got a place in the countryside. I was quite happy with my DVDs and just relaxing.”

Shaun’s latest touring production is Love Me Tender, a musical based on the songs of Elvis and featuring 25 of the King’s numbers.

It was written by Tony award-winner Joe DiPietro and is directed by Olivier award-winner Karen Bruce, so there’s no doubting the production’s quality.

Set in 1950s America, a depressed community is turned upside down when a guitar-playing, motorbike-riding stranger rides into town.

Starring alongside Shaun are singer Mica Paris, who had hits with My One Temptation and Black Angel, Sian Reeves, who played Sally Spode in Emmerdale and Sydney Henshall in Cutting It, and Ben Lewis.

“When I was 27 and stacking shelves in Safeway, I remember going out and buying Mica’s CDs, and now she’s my love interest on stage and singing to me every night,” Shaun continues.

“I’ve always been a massive Elvis fan. My dad had a box set and I would listen to it all the time.

“I was devastated when he died when I was 13.

“My favourite Elvis era is the white jumpsuit, Vegas years. Even though he was a shell of himself physically, I think there was a new maturity to his voice that came through in songs like American Trilogy, which is probably my favourite song of his and is also part of the show.

“It’s a really feel-good musical and rom-com.”

Love Me Tender keeps Shaun busy until the end of September, finishing up in Dublin, before pantomime season kicks in again.

“That’ll take me through to January and I’m hoping then this show goes to the West End and I can be a part of it, which will allow me to spend some time at home.”

If not, Shaun will get his little black book out again and be grateful for his life on the road.

Love Me Tender is at Edinburgh Playhouse from tomorrow until Saturday (July 20-25) and King’s Theatre, Glasgow, from August 3-8.