Rupert Hill could not be happier after leaving the safe shores of Coronation Street for uncharted waters. Lorne Jackson reports.

There are two kinds of actor.

Those who hanker after commitment and are content to be faithful, and those with a wandering eye who need to play the field.

Rupert Hill is a rover.

Not that he is enjoying an illicit affair behind his girlfriend’s back.

Rupert has been with fellow performer, Jenny Platt, for several years. Two weeks ago they celebrated the arrival of their first child, Matilda.

It’s only in his craft that he takes on the mantle of the flirt.

As an ambitious actor he plays the field. Sidling up to new roles. Giving the eye to fresh opportunities on stage and TV.

His latest fancy is a lead part in the theatrical version of When Harry Met Sally. Rupert plays Harry opposite the Sally of former Hollyoaks actress, Sarah Jayne Dunn. The show hits Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre on May 4.

It’s a good opportunity, reprising the role made famous by Billy Crystal in the classic 80s rom com.

Yet this touring production won’t give Rupert the kind of exposure he once enjoyed playing Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street.

But he chose to flee the cosy cocoon of Corrie, where many actors have slumbered their careers away, being faithful to one role.

The wandering eye wouldn’t let him stick around. I’d already been in another soap, Family Affairs, before doing Corrie,” he says. “And time was moving so fast.

“Being in both soaps took seven or eight years out of my life. I only meant to do Corrie for two years, and ended up being there for four. Suddenly I realised I was 30, and thought to myself ‘Oh my God, my career is flying by!’ I had to get out.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” he adds. “I got paid incredibly well, and starring in Coronation Street was a very enjoyable job, and I made really good friends.

“But I’ve always wanted to be an actor. And part of what attracted me to the profession was the diversity of roles you can get.

“In the end I accepted that I was going to have to take a pay cut and face up to the possibility that I might never work again. It didn’t matter, though. I had to take a risk and leave Corrie in 2007 because I didn’t want to play Jamie Baldwin for the next 25 years.

“Sure, sticking it out would have meant that I’d have a nice house and nice holidays.

“But I care too much about acting. I needed to try other roles.”

It’s a brave though rugged route to take. One that other actors from The Street have balked at. Bill Roach has famously played Ken Barlow in Coronation Street since the first episode back in 1960.

“Someone like Bill, he takes it very, very seriously,” says Rupert. “He still does vocal warm ups before a scene. He’s very much part of the old school, and he loves doing it. All those guys who have been in Corrie for years and years absolutely adore it.

“Part of me wishes I could be that person. But I’m too excitable. I’m constantly thinking what else is around the next corner. Even now, with a few months left of this play I’m in now, I’m wondering what I’m going to be doing next.”

Though Rupert is already thinking of pastures new, he is definitely enjoying starring in When Harry Met Sally.

Years ago he saw the movie, which entertained him, though at present he is deliberately steering clear of watching the DVD.

“I didn’t want Billy Crystal’s performance to contaminate mine,” he says. “Or for it to look like I was trying to do an impression of him subconsciously.”

Rupert shouldn’t worry about striking the wrong note. He can draw from experience for his performance. When Harry Met Sally is about a love that slowly blossoms out of a long-term friendship. That’s precisely what happened with Rupert and Jenny, who met when they were starring in Coronation Street.

“We were really close friends for a very long time, about six years, before we realised there was something more going on.

“So my personal life and work life are very similar at the moment. Love creeps up on Harry and Sally, and it crept up on me and Jen.

“We were just spending all our time together as friends, and after a while I was saying to myself, ‘I’m going to have to find a girlfriend soon because I’m single.’ Then we realised subliminally that since we both wanted to spend all our time with each other, it must also mean something more. Everything took its own course and suddenly we found ourselves in a relationship.”

Jen and Matilda are travelling with Rupert as he tours.

Clearly he is settled in his private life. But does the added responsibility of a child mean the time of the Roach encroaches? Will he no longer take so many risks with his career in the future?

“Neither Jen nor me have ever been out of work,” he says. “Hopefully that will continue as long as my professionalism and passion for the job remains. But just in case it all goes wrong, I’ve bought a pub in Manchester, where I’m based. So if the acting work dries up, I’ll keep everything nice and wet as a full time publican.”

* When Harry Met Sally is at the Alexandra Theatre from May 4-8. For more information www.alexandratheatre.org.uk