Cast your NTA newcomer vote for James Sutton!

Today's the turn of Hollyoaks-come-Emmerdale actor James Sutton to talk to us about why he should win the newcomer trophy at this year's National Television Awards.



What does it feel like to be nominated?
"It's incredibly flattering considering the talent on Emmerdale, especially in 'Best Newcomer'. Some wonderful people have come in the last year. Alice Coulthard and Lyndon [Ogbourne] have both arrived, Kim Thomson as well - these are seriously high-calibre people so I'm incredibly flattered really."

What do you think of the competition?
"It's very, very strong. Neil from EastEnders - I haven't seen that much of EastEnders - but what I have seen is really strong. Obviously I know Craig quite well and he's immensely talented, I worked with him at drama school and he's always been great. Bronagh I know from Hollyoaks. It's really tough - I wouldn't be able to call it!"

What would it mean to you if you won?
"It would be brilliant. I've been nominated for a few bits and pieces over the last few years and I haven't really won anything - other than the wonderful Digital Spy award of course! But apart from that I haven't won anything so it would be lovely. My mum would love it as well - it would be nice for her to have something on her mantlepiece."

Are you taking her to the awards this year?
"No, I'm not unfortunately. She showed herself up at the Soap Awards, butting in on my interviews and... no I'm joking! She loved it but unfortunately I'm not taking anyone this year."

Why should readers vote for you, then?
"Because it would make my mum very happy if I won (laughs). I've really enjoyed the stuff I've done on Emmerdale and if other people have enjoyed my work then vote for me - that would be rather splendid of them."

What does the future hold for Ryan Lamb?
"He's going to have a lot more to do in the coming months. He's got to come to terms with the fact that he's got this new family now and this father who vanishes - he doesn't really get a chance to talk to him before he disappears. He strikes up a relationship with Will, my new little brother which is really nice and Ryan's got a lot coming up with Nathan. Those two really are at loggerheads. We've got some really exciting stuff coming up together."

Where does he go with his love life?
"Him and Katie start to have a little thing again. He's still sniffing around Katie for a while but I can't really give too much away about that."

Does he build bridges with his mother?
"I don't think he ever forgives her but they do eventually start to open up some communication, but for a long time it's going to be very fraught between the two of them."

Are you sticking with Emmerdale for the foreseeable future?
"Yeah - I'm having an absolute ball. It's honestly the best place to work. The people there are just wonderful and they've made me feel so welcome and Gavin's doing a great job. It feels like we're part of something really quite exciting that's on the up. The viewing figures have been really good the last couple of weeks and I don't want to go anywhere right now."

Click here to visit the official National Television Awards website and cast your newcomer vote.

The other nominees in the newcomer category are all soapy sorts - Hollyoaks' Bronagh Waugh, Corrie's Craig Gazey and EastEnders' Neil McDermott.

> Click here to read my recent interview with Craig Gazey
> Click here to read my recent interview with Bronagh Waugh