Ex-Corrie star 'expected not to work'

Former Coronation Street star Rob James-Collier has admitted that he was fully prepared for a career dry patch when he bowed out from the soap.

The actor's decision to leave the role of Weatherfield's Liam Connor was announced in February 2008, and viewers saw the character killed off in a hit-and-run in October of the same year.

Speaking to TV Times about life away from the cobbles, James-Collier commented: "After leaving a massive show with a huge following like Coronation Street, you have to make your choices carefully and be prepared not to work for a while."

He continued: "I knew it was going to be a stretch before casting directors would look at me and not see Liam."

The 34-year-old told the magazine that he ultimately turned down a number of jobs because he was holding out for the right role after departing the Street.

He said: "The benefit of being on something like Corrie is you can save up a little nest egg, so you know that, when you go, you have that as a fallback. You can take your time and make the right choice, without money being too much of a concern."

James-Collier is currently appearing as footman Thomas in ITV1's Downton Abbey.