Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton credits mum for saving career after almost giving it up

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Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk ahead of the SSAFA’s 13 Bridges Challenge this Armed Forces Day, Antony Cotton, 45, said his mum Enid Dunn auditioned for The League of Gentlemen to prove you’re never too old for acting after he doubted himself. The actress has also starred in Coronation Street as well as Phoenix Nights.

Antony said he considered quitting acting for good after a series of failed auditions, but his mum encouraged him to keep trying.

Taking his mum’s advice on board, the actor eventually got a job on the ITV soap and has now been playing his iconic character Sean Tully for almost 18 years.

He said: “She did it because when I was a lot younger, I threatened to give up because I had a series of bad auditions.

“I had a run of really great work and then it stopped, as is the nature of the business.

“And I said, ‘Oh I think I’m going to do something else’ so my mum took up drama lessons with my old drama teacher to prove to me that it’s never too late to start and it’s just about putting yourself out there.

“And then, she did it, she went to some lessons, she got herself an agent and then she auditioned for a League of The Gentleman and she got it.

“She started when she was 56! My mum is inspirational.”

Antony went on to impress Coronation Street producers with his acting skills and bagged the role as Sean in 2003.

“18 years later here I am,” he added, revealing he hopes to stay on the Cobbles for as long as possible. 

Antony’s character is currently embroiled in a pyramid scheme of selling make-up.

His dodgy antics has already seen him lose friend Gemma Winter, played by Dolly-Rose Campbell.

Teasing what’s to come, he divulged: “The way Sean sees it is, Sean is genuinely innocent.

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“He doesn’t really believe people want to do other people over.

“So, when he went into it, he genuinely believed it was a great scheme and he could help other people earn some money.

“I know everybody else has been saying it is what it is, but it’s only in these latter scenes, what we’re doing now, where the penny drops and Sean realises that it might not be what it seems.”

Elsewhere, Antony will be supporting Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26th June by taking on the 13 Bridges Challenge to raise money for SSAFA.

Participants will be supported throughout by volunteers from the local Armed Forces community and there will also be an area at the finish line for refreshments and photo opportunities.

The actor said of his involvement: “Now more than ever, our veterans and service personnel, both old and young, need our help and support.

“Like everyone in this great country of ours, this pandemic has affected the military community profoundly and so it is with great honour and privilege that I’m joining the 13 Bridges Challenge”

To find out more and to sign up, visit www.ssafa.org.uk/13bridges

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