McCarthy: 'Globe role is a big change'

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has admitted that he is feeling both nervous and excited as he prepares to perform at London's Globe Theatre.

The actor, best known for his role as Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, recently signed up to play Fenton in a forthcoming production of Shakespearean comedy The Merry Wives Of Windsor.

Speaking to PA about his new part, McCarthy commented: "It's bit of a massive change but that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to leave the show and do something as far removed from Hollyoaks as I could get. I didn't think it would be that far removed!"

He continued: "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous but the nerves are balanced by the excitement, so I'm hoping the excitement will win out in the end and get me through."

McCarthy made his departure from Hollyoaks last month after nearly four years with the serial. However, his final scenes have not yet aired.

The 29-year-old said: "For whatever reason our soap has this reputation for being full of beautiful people who can't really act. I'm delighted that by the time I go on stage at the Globe, I'll still be on screen in Hollyoaks. I'm actually quite proud of that."