Monday Monday A quick chat with Richard Fleeshman

Former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman catches the eye of supermarket boss Christine, played by Fay Ripley, in this week’s Monday, Monday...

So, we hear you’re Fay Ripley’s toyboy?
"Well, I play a lad called Gillen, who works in the bakery section of the supermarket. He comes up from the shop floor to work with Christine, who is a bit of a walking car crash. She takes a shine to him – a bit too much of a shine. And chaos ensues…"

Is the feeling mutual?
"Oh no, she misreads the situation as much as you possibly could! She thinks he’s falling for her and it gets more and more entangled in her head. It comes to a head and she totally goes about things the wrong way."

Does she make a play for him?
"Yes, and he’s very shocked. He thinks, 'What the hell’s going on?' She ruins more than just their friendship and working relationship – there’s also something else at stake. He’s furious."

Gillen’s an aspiring musician and we see him performing in a gig. You also got to sing in All The Small Things, didn’t you?
"Yes, but it’s not a running trend! We filmed Monday Monday 18 months ago so it’s just coincidental that it’s come out back-to-back with All the Small Things. The last thing I did was to play an autistic boy, so to play something in a comedy is really nice."

How’s your music career going?
"I’ve been touring Europe with Elton John for a couple of months, which has been amazing. It was really nice to play to audiences who have no idea who I am. It’s great to get that reaction – they’re really warm and open to everything. It was really good fun."

Have you ever done the teenage thing of working in a supermarket?
"No, I started in Coronation Street when I was 12 so I’ve never even had a Saturday job. I’ve always been a bit envious of friends who work in bars, because that looks like fun. Who knows, if the acting and music don’t work out, I may still get the chance!"

*Richard stars in Monday, Monday on August 10 at 9pm on ITV1*