Former Brookside actor Leon Lopez tells Jade Wright, from the Liverpool Echo why he is bidding to be crowned Soapstar Superstar

Leon Lopez was looking forward to watching his friend Gemma Atkinson in Soapstar Superstar – that was until he got the call asking him to take part in the show himself.
The Hollyoaks: In The City actor has been called in to replace Ben Freeman in the hit ITV1 show, starting tonight

“I am really excited and am looking forward to getting on the stage and performing,” grins Leon, 27, who plays Tank Top in the E4 Hollyoaks spin-off.

“I love singing – I was doing music long before I started acting – so I can’t wait. It was a big surprise to get the call and now I’m really nervous – we all are. Everyone keeps saying we hope we can remember the choreography and the words when the cameras start rolling.”

Former Shorefields Technology College pupil Leon studied music performance at LIPA and performing arts at Liverpool Community College, before going on to win the Echo arts award for best pop act. With a pedigree like that, he must be a contender for the Soapstar Superstar crown?

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to win, but then you’ve got actors in there from Coronation Street and Emmerdale, shows with millions of fans, so I’ve got a bit of a mountain to climb,” he says. “I’m just hoping that people give me a chance. I hope I don’t get voted out first, but then if it happens it happens. I just need to go out there and do my best.”

Leon is currently sharing a flat with fellow In The City actor Phil Olivier, who was this week given the ultimate torso of the year title by Heat magazine.

“We’re always winding him up about that,” laughs Leon. The pair met while playing Tinhead and Jerome Johnson on Brookside and have remained friends. “He used to be in the gym all the time, but recently he’s been getting a bit lazy. I’ve been saying ‘the gym’s for life, not just for Christmas mate’, but he’s not having any of it.”

Leon is getting worried that his gym sessions could prove disastrous tonight.

“It’s so exciting – they’re tailoring all our suits and making the girls’ dresses,” he says. “I’ve never had a suit made for me before. But the lady doing said she’s going to make it really tight to show I’ve been going to the gym, but I’ve put on quite a bit of muscle and I’m getting a bit worried I’ll split my pants with all the dancing – people might end up seeing a bit more than they want to.”

After coming into the show late Leon has been rehearsing around the clock to learn the dance routine for tonight.

“I know what I’m doing my first song, but after that we’ve got no idea what we’ll be doing,” he says. “Each night the panel choose two possible songs for the next night, and then the audience choose which one you do. So if I get through the first show I’ll have to learn a new song in less than 24 hours. I’m petrified.”

The Toxteth lad has been sworn to secrecy about his first song, but he did let slip that it’s a soul classic.

“I love soul music – it’s what I’ve grown up with so I’m most comfortable doing it – but I’ll do whatever they want to give me,” he grins. “If they set me a challenge, I’m up for it. I’d like to give rock a try, I’ve never done it, I might like it. I’d like to do a Lenny Kravitz song.”

Leon is hoping to raise as much money for his chosen charity, Weston Spirit, as he can. It has been a cause close to his heart since he was helped by them as a young boy.

“I used to things with them when I was a kid,” says Leon. “They gave me loads of opportunities. It’s a great charity set up by Falklands veteran Simon Weston to give kids from inner-city areas a focus. The idea behind it is to get young people who might be at risk of going off the rails doing positive things, but it’s open to anyone.”

Nick Van Breeman, appeals director of Weston Spirit, says: “We are delighted to be chosen by Leon who has been a big supporter of our organisation, we wish him the best of luck.”

Executive producer Rachel Ashdown says: “Like all our soap stars Leon has a natural singing ability. With these eleven stars this year, it really is anyone’s prize to win. People will know Leon from Hollyoaks in the City and Brookside before that, and just like our other stars, he has a great voice.”