Jacob Roberts, who plays Kit Green on Coronation Street, recently shared insights about his journey to landing a role on the iconic soap. Surprisingly, just a few weeks before stepping onto the cobbles, Roberts was working as an aerial installer, a far cry from the world of acting. His path to becoming a part of the Coronation Street cast is a testament to the unpredictable and often serendipitous nature of an acting career.
Roberts’s story is an inspiring example of how quickly life can change, especially in the world of showbiz, where opportunities can arise when least expected. His transition from a technical trade to one of the most beloved soap operas highlights the diverse backgrounds and experiences actors bring to their roles.
It’s surprising to learn that Jacob Roberts, who now portrays Bernie Winter’s long-lost son Kit Green on Coronation Street, was working in a much more ordinary job just weeks before landing the role. The 34-year-old actor, who had previously appeared on Hollyoaks, found himself in a tough spot after leaving the show. With acting opportunities drying up, he took on a job fitting aerials on rooftops to make ends meet.
Roberts was up on roofs, dealing with the challenges of outdoor work, a stark contrast to his previous life on TV. Just three weeks before stepping onto the famous cobbles of Coronation Street, he was in the freezing cold, installing aerials—a far cry from the glamour of soap stardom. This unexpected twist in his journey highlights the unpredictable nature of the acting world, where even established actors can face periods of struggle before landing their next big role.
Jacob Roberts candidly reflected on the challenging period before his role on Coronation Street. “It was a low moment,” he shared regretfully, describing the stark contrast between his past and present circumstances. “Eight months previously, I was on TV, and now I was in the freezing cold rain on top of a roof, fiddling with a TV aerial.”
Roberts described those chilly times as a harsh reality check. “It was winter, and I was outside up a ladder in the cold, instead of inside in the warm doing lines,” he said. “It was a total reality check and hard to take.” His story highlights the resilience needed to pursue an acting career, where even talented actors like Roberts can face significant setbacks before finding success again.
Jacob Roberts, ever the down-to-earth lad, wasn’t seeking any attention while working as an aerial installer. Reflecting on those days, he shared with The Mirror, “I was dreading anyone recognizing me and saying, ‘Weren’t you on Hollyoaks?’ I wasn’t being pretentious, but I was there to work, and I didn’t want the attention.” His humble approach to life, even after experiencing the highs of acting, speaks volumes about his character.
Roberts’s early career seemed destined for success. At just 17, he landed a role in Borstal Boy’s, where he impressed critics at the Edinburgh Festival and even made waves across the pond in New York. Despite these early achievements, his journey hasn’t been without its challenges, making his recent success on Coronation Street all the more meaningful.
Jacob Roberts reflected on his early career success, recalling his time in Borstal Boy’s with pride. “It was an amazing opportunity; it was just off Broadway, and we got good audiences; a lot of people wanted to see it,” he said. Despite the promising start, his return to the UK didn’t lead to the surge in TV roles he had hoped for.
This lack of opportunities brought him back to his roots, working as a joiner. As reported by The Mirror, Roberts faced the reality of balancing his passion for acting with the need to make a living, demonstrating the resilience required to navigate the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry. His journey, marked by both highs and lows, adds depth to his current success on Coronation Street.
After being made redundant, Jacob Roberts dedicated two years to working with children with disabilities, a role that likely offered him a rewarding and humbling experience. However, when the acting opportunities remained elusive, he turned to more hands-on jobs, including working as a laborer and an aerial fitter. These experiences, while far from the glamour of television, showcase Roberts’s adaptability and determination to keep moving forward, even when his acting career was at a standstill. This journey, filled with varied and challenging jobs, ultimately led him back to the screen, where he now shines on Coronation Street as Kit Green.
Jacob Roberts’s journey to television stardom didn’t come easy. It wasn’t until he was 27 that he landed his debut TV role as Damon Kinsella on Hollyoaks, a role he held for a solid six years. Reflecting on his career path, Roberts admitted, “It took me a long time to get my break.” He shared that it was a decade-long journey, during which he auditioned for parts in Hollyoaks about five times before finally securing a role.
Roberts also recalled the pressure to fit a certain image for those auditions, particularly when Hollyoaks was known for its “Hunks of Hollyoaks” calendars. “I had to get a bit bigger. I was quite a skinny kid,” he confessed, highlighting the physical expectations placed on actors in the industry. Despite these challenges, Roberts persevered, and his determination eventually paid off, leading to his successful stint on Hollyoaks and his current role on Coronation Street.
Jacob Roberts has openly discussed the challenges he faced in the early days of his acting career, particularly with shows like Hollyoaks, where appearance often took precedence over acting skills. “Back in the day, Hollyoaks was that kind of show, and it was more about what you looked like than your acting!” he admitted. He also revealed that he had auditioned for Emmerdale multiple times, but despite facing numerous rejections, he never gave up on his dream.
“Rejection is hard to take, but I didn’t let it affect my passion to act; that was always there,” Roberts declared. His unwavering belief in his abilities kept him motivated. “I always wanted to be on TV, and I never thought I wouldn’t get to do it because I do have confidence in myself,” he shared.
After his time on Hollyoaks came to an end, Roberts dedicated himself to improving his craft. He attended numerous acting workshops and kept learning, determined to refine his skills. His hard work and persistence paid off when he got noticed and received a call to audition for Coronation Street last year. This opportunity ultimately led to his current role as Kit Green, marking another significant milestone in his acting journey.
Jacob Roberts fondly recalls the moment he secured the role of Kit Green on Coronation Street after a couple of auditions spanning two months. “I immediately bought a bottle of champagne and went to celebrate with my mum,” he remembers. His mum, a devoted Coronation Street fan, was overjoyed by the news, making the moment even more special for Roberts.
Since his debut, viewers have quickly noticed that Kit Green isn’t shy about abusing his police power for personal gain. In recent episodes, he saved Gemma from a theft accusation by intimidating the shop owner and cleverly planted evidence on Nathan Curtis to frame him for a suspected murder. Kit’s willingness to bend the rules and use his authority for his own benefit has added a layer of intrigue to his character.
This week’s episodes are set to reveal Kit’s boldest move yet as he turns his attention to Beth Tinker, played by Lisa George. Rumors about Lisa George’s potential exit from the soap have been circulating since last year, following her impressive 13-year run as the outspoken factory worker. Kit’s involvement with Beth could signal significant changes for both characters, leaving fans eager to see how the storyline unfolds.
Beth Tinker finds herself in a precarious situation as she uncovers Kit Green’s involvement in selling counterfeit t-shirts and his share of the illegal profits. Instead of giving in to her blackmail attempts, Kit retaliates with a surprising move. He threatens to sabotage her son Craig’s policing career unless Beth leaves Weatherfield for good.
Jacob Roberts shared his insights on Kit Green’s latest antics, noting, “I like his drive; he’s selfish in that he knows what he wants.” He also highlighted Kit’s cunning nature, explaining, “If he sees an opportunity, he takes it, but he only does things if he’s confident that he will get away with it.” Kit’s manipulative and strategic approach to his goals continues to make him a compelling character, driving the drama in Coronation Street as he navigates his tangled web of deceit and power plays.
Kit Green has certainly made his mark at the Rovers Return on Coronation Street, taking over Glenda Shuttleworth’s former room and making the most of the pub’s lively atmosphere for his schemes. However, Jacob Roberts, who plays Kit, has faced a unique challenge while filming in the iconic boozer due to his towering height.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Roberts has found that fitting into the Rovers’ space is a bit tricky. He joked, “I love it, but I’m 6ft 4in so I don’t really fit in the Rovers. Every time I stand at the bar, they have to raise the level of the top of the bar. It feels like they’re making such an effort, just for me to stand in the scene!” His height adds a humorous twist to his scenes in the pub, but it certainly doesn’t diminish the impact of his character’s scheming and presence on the show.
Jacob Roberts revealed that his mum isn’t exactly a fan of his character, Kit Green. He recalled with a smirk, “She said to me: ‘You’re a bit of a b*d, aren’t you?'” To which he replied with a chuckle, “Yes, Mum, I am!” It seems his mum has a sense of humor about her son’s villainous role, adding a light-hearted touch to the drama surrounding Kit’s character on *Coronation Street*.
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