KEVIN SACRE ON PLAYING JAKE DEAN
Wednesday 26 March

Kevin Sacre has been involved in one of this year's most shocking storylines as his character Jake Dean has attempted to rape his wife and then kill himself and his son. We caught up with Kev to find out what he thinks about the storyline...

The Nancy and Jake storyline has been building up for months and we've seen Jake change a lot over that time. Has this been quite emotionally exhausting for you to film?
I don't know about exhausting but it's been fun to be honest. The character was so loved in the past and he's been completely flipped into a complete idiot. It has been harder I suppose in the respect that the character has changed a lot, but I'd say it's been more fun than anything.

Did you prefer playing the old nice Jake, or the new twisted Jake?
I like playing both but after so long playing the same guy it was nice to have a change. A lot of people thought that I was like Jake too, and I'm actually nothing like him so I think people have realised that now.

You've filmed some shocking scenes with Jess Fox (Nancy), especially the violent and abusive ones. How do you find filming these scenes?
It's pretty hardcore because I'm quite a placid guy. You have to be aware that as a big guy you are working with a small girl and you could really hurt her so you do think 'oh god this is quite nasty'. I try and keep it light-hearted otherwise I think you'd go home and be quite depressed.

How do your relax after you've filmed angry or emotional scenes all day?
I'm quite typical guy, I like going to see bands, going snowboarding, playing computer games or I mess around on Facebook. I just get back into normal everyday life to honest, I go and see my girlfriend or my friends down south.

Looking back, what do you think was the turning point for Jake becoming so controlling and messed up?
Everyone said it was around when the Justin and Becca stuff happened but I don't think it was that, I think it was later around the time that Becca died. When Bryan (Kirkwood, HOLLYOAKS Producer) came along one of the things I said to him was that I wanted Jake to turn a bit nasty and he wasn't sure at first but then he said 'right lets go for that'. Jess (Fox, who plays Nancy) and I really pushed for this storyline because it was a bit controversial.

I think the big turning point was when Becca died really and I think from then on he was a broken man and that's when we started to play the changes in Jake very subtly.

What reaction have you had from fans since Jake became a bit evil?
It's been really good actually. I think a lot of people appreciate that I've been working hard and that I've been working hard for the show they love. People do seem a bit stand offish now but once they come over and realise that I'm approachable they seem reassured. People seem to enjoy loving to hate the storyline. To see the guys on the HOLLYOAKS forum saying that I should be up for best actor at the British Soap Awards means the world to me and it's just a huge compliment.

Do you feel a bit sorry for Jake or do you think what has happened is his own fault?
I do feel a bit sorry for him. Everyone has been like 'well he did have an affair with Lisa Hunter', but he wasn't married to Becca then and I just think so many people have affairs but when you get married that's a much bigger deal. I do feel sorry for him because lets be honest, he has had the worst run of luck!

I don't feel sorry for him now though, although he is mentally ill and I've spoke to a lot of people who have suffered from mental illnesses so I do and I don't fell sorry for him I suppose. Let's be honest he's turned into an absolute idiot!

If you could give Jake one piece of friendly advice, what would it be?
It's a bit late for that but probably, get a grip mate.

Watch out for part two of our interview with Kevin Sacre next month.

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