Chris Fountain not like Tommy Duckworth

Chris Fountain insists he is nothing like his 'Coronation Street' alter ego.

The 23-year-old actor recently made his debut in the soap playing ladies man Tommy Duckworth, and Chris insists he is happily settled with girlfriend Jessica Derrick and is not as confident around women as his character.

He said: "I've very settled and enjoying it - I'm probably the opposite of Tommy Duckworth right now.

"Tommy's completely different to me. I'd be really nervous chatting up a girl I didn't know - I'd have to be introduced beforehand. But Tommy exudes confidence."

Chris came second in 'Dancing on Ice' in 2008 and was pleased when show bosses said he didn't have to join other contestants in having a spray tan - though he was dismayed when 'Coronation Street' chiefs told him he needed a bronzed glow to make his portrayal of Tommy believable, as the character is returning to Weatherfield following a year of travelling the world.

He added in an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I thought I'd got away with it!

"I don't like them much. My toes look like someone's been rubbing Marmite on them at the moment - it's not the greatest look."