‘I’m a soap legend who has appeared in all of them – I have one thing to say to snobs’

Louis Emerick has has done the rounds in the soaps from Brookie to Hollyoaks via Coronation Street and he has a clear message for the ‘snobs’

Louis Emerick is sick of snobs who look down their noses at soaps.

The Brookside legend has had roles in many of them over the years so he knows first hand how good they are. And after years of seeing them get dismissed, he thinks it’s about time they got a bit more respect.

He told the Daily Star Sunday : “Soap actors are underestimated. There is still a stigma around them. But some of the scenes you get on soap wouldn’t look out of place on a drama. Look at the stuff they are doing now.

“If some of those storylines were on a drama, people would be saying, ‘That’s fantastic’. But because they’re on soaps, people don’t make enough of a fuss.”

**Louis has even appeared in The Bill** (Image: ITV)

Louis reckons TV’s soaps have been airing top notch entertainment since the genre first launched more than 60 years ago.

He added: “When soaps do things well, it’s as good and as powerful and as relevant as anything that’s on other shows.

“I mean, when I was at Brookside we had Sue Johnstone and Ricky Tomlinson in the cast. It doesn’t get better than that.”

Louis has been starring on soaps since the mid-80s.

**Louis has been in Doctors (of course)** (Image: BBC)

His incredible CV includes appearances on Corrie, Brookside, Doctors, Holby City, The Bill, Casualty and now Hollyoaks

He said: “I think the only soaps I haven’t been are Emmerdale and EastEnders. Being in so many of them isn’t something I planned.

“First and foremost, I’m an actor for hire. I want to be working and I want to be in something that’s good.

“I want to find something that keeps the creative juices flowing and makes me want to go to work in the morning. Soaps tick that box and I’ve been fortunate to be in so many of them.”

**And he’s walked the cobbles on Coronation Street**

Louis has been starring as loveable Donny Clark on Hollyoaks since April and he’s loving every second.

Currently he’s at the centre of the action after his character proposed to Misbah Maalik, played by Harvey Virdi.

He said: “When you join a show, you wonder how it’s going to be and if you’re going to gel with everyone. But it’s all been brilliant. It’s exciting to be part of the show. I’ve come in at the right time and I’m working with some really talented people.”