Coronation Street legend nearly quit show over ITV decision
This forced him to consider hanging up his hat and dropping out of Corrie altogether.
Recalling the dilemma, the Coronation Street star said: 'I was offered rallying with Seat."
He added: "I was offered a few things. I had to meet with the boss of insurance for ITV, and he said: 'Absolutely hell no', and that was my possible career in racing gone. I was gutted, it was my lifelong dream.'
The ITV actor remembered that he was envious, Kelvin Fletcher, who left rival soap opera Emmerdale to race cars.
He said: 'And then of course, Kelvin from Emmerdale, he's racing McLaren, Bentley, Porsche."
According to The Mirror, he added: 'I was like, 'that was my dream!' He said 'Get lost' and left the show. Which is what I should have done, or maybe I shouldn't, or I wouldn't be here now.'
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However, despite his love for cars and acting clashing, he previously admitted that he wouldn't be on the cobbles if it wasn't for the former.
'The reason I went for the job - because I wasn't an actor, I wanted to join the RAF originally - the reason I went for it was for money,' he explained.
He added on the motoring podcast Fuelling Around: 'Because I'd seen a Ford Escort Mexico, in bright orange and I was like 'I want that car, so I'll go for that job'.'
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