‘I’ll be still working out when I’m 90’

The soap hunk is back and, lucky for us, he’s ready to strip off again

His six-pack made him a massive heartthrob, and 20 years after he joined Coronation Street, Adam Rickitt has returned to his roots – and is planning to get his top off.

The 38-year-old has joined Hollyoaks as MS sufferer Kyle, who is the childhood sweetheart of fellow MS sufferer Nancy (played by Jessica Fox).

Adam previously played Corrie’s Nick Tilsey from 1997-1999 before leaving to launch a pop career. He then rejoined the Cobbles in 2002 for two years, before taking a year off to try his hand at politics. During his break, he fell for Good Morning Britain presenter Katy Fawcett, who he married two years ago. He describes their relationship as “like something from Dawson’s Creek” because they are sickeningly happy. But the handsome star realised that although he was content in his personal life, he wanted to get back to acting.

He tells Closer: “I’m entering my 20th year in showbiz. I’m so happy. I know it’s a real cliché but you do learn every single day as an actor. Back when I first started I was two weeks out of boarding school and didn’t have clue. It’s nice now that I don’t blush when I see myself on TV.

“I was only 18 when I started at Corrie and was always playing the young hot stud character, then suddenly I’m on Hollyoaks and I’m one of the oldest people! The other day we had the TV on in the Green Room and I said: ‘Oh Countdown is on!’ Everyone just looked at me like, ‘That’s so not cool...’”

As for exposing those famous pecs, Adam adds: “I don’t mind if I have to get my top off – as long as it’s not pointless. In Corrie there were storylines like, ‘Nick washes the car with his top off’ for no reason. Though I don’t have a problem with it – I’ve spent the entire day in my pants!”

And while Adam is in amazing shape, he does admit that he wishes he could ditch his gruelling workouts, but explains he can’t because not exercising could leave him paralysed.

He explains: “I’ve had the same exercise routine since I was 18. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, which is an autoimmune arthritic condition. The only way to combat it is with exercise. I work out for two hours every day so I’m not in agony. I’d rather not be down at the gym – I’d love to be chilling out on the sofa but I can’t. I still fit into the clothes I wore when I was 17. Even when I’m 90, I’ll be the fittest in the old people’s home, still working out.”

Watch Adam in Hollyoaks, weekdays on C4, 6.30pm