'I don't see any shame in doing manual labour... I'm happy to graft to pay the bills' says former Holby City star Jeremy Edwards

By Kirsty Mccormack
Updated: 09:14 EST, 30 August 2011


Many celebrities would probably prefer to sit at home with no money rather than get a normal job, but not Jeremy Edwards.

The former Holby City star was recently pictured grafting for a friend's landscape gardening business,

It was a surprise turn of events for the former Hollyoaks star who has previously enjoyed all the trappings of a celebrity lifestyle.

However, the 40-year-old actor has defended his unexpected new role.

Hard-working: Actor Jeremy Edwards working as a builder's labourer at a North London home

Hard-working: Actor Jeremy Edwards working as a builder's labourer at a North London home

Speaking to OK! magazine, Jeremy along with this wife of two years, Lydia said: 'I really don't see the shame in manual labour.'

The former Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Big Brother contestant went on to explain that he has received nothing but support from the general public. He said: 'Everyone is patting me on the back!'

The actor explained that he was 'bemused and annoyed' as to why he was condemned for doing a regular job: 'I don't know any actors who work consistently without other work,' he added.

'There's a lucky few, but not many, I had a good ten-year run!'

Grafter: Former Holby City star, Jeremy, dons gardening gloves for his latest role

Grafter: Former Holby City star, Jeremy, dons gardening gloves for his latest role

Glitzier times: Jeremy poses with his Dancing On Ice partner, Darya Nucci in 2009.

High times: Jeremy appeared on Dancing On Ice with partner, Darya Nucci, in 2009

Jeremy, who was seen wearing gardening gloves whilst tipping rubble into a skip in the pictures, said friends of his weren't sure what to say to him, but added that clients who recognise him are 'nothing but nice' and admire the actor for 'getting stuck in.'

But it's' not all muddy hands and pulling out weeds for the former Hollyoaks star as one plus to doing manual labour seems to be the exercise.

'Gardening is harder than the gym,' Jeremy told OK! 'I'm gaining muscles, I'm even on protein shakes because I'm lifting all day!'

Jeremy, a former model, has not acted since late last year when he appeared in a spin-off for ITV soap, Coronation Street.

The actor, who has also appeared in Emmerdale, stressed that he has still been going for auditions and has 'come very close to certain jobs.'

He has also been offered the chance to go back to Hollyoaks, even though his character died, but said he would not go back into the Big Brother house unless 'they offered me a load of money.'

The actor explained that he was 'bemused and annoyed' as to why he was condemned for doing a regular job: 'I don't know any actors who work consistently without other work,' he added.

'There's a lucky few, but not many, I had a good ten-year run!'

lThe teacher and the labourer: Jeremy and his wife, Lydia, pictured here in March this year are both currently working normal jobs.

The teacher and the labourer: Jeremy and his wife, Lydia, pictured here in March this year are both currently working normal jobs.

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