'Emmerdale' actor thrilled with role

Emmerdale actor Joseph Gilgun has revealed that joining the soap has changed his life.

The actor was thrilled to be offered the role of Eli Dingle on the show after struggling through "bad times" in recent years.

Gilgun previously appeared as Tricia Armstrong's son Jamie on Coronation Street when he was a child.

"When I was a kid on Corrie I didn’t realise how good a life I had until I left. I had some bad times before I joined Emmerdale last year," Joseph told The Sun.

Asked about his latest character, he added: "Eli's a twerp. He's a rough diamond, a lovable rogue who is a product of his environment. He’s a crook who has spent time in jail for selling hard drugs. He can get away with things, as he can never admit that he’s wrong. I could have ended up like him if I hadn’t got a grip on myself."