Jimi Mistry has admitted he has been spending hours in the gym to get buff for his role as a personal trainer in Coronation Street.
East Is East star Jimi is about to make his first appearance in the ITV series as Kal, a former army officer and personal trainer who will put some of the Street's residents through their paces.
He told The Sun he had been anxious to shape up before starting filming: "You have to look the part and I was conscious of that as an actor.
"I've always liked the gym and I put myself through the paces and have lost seven to eight kilos. I wasn't 'fat' fat but I have certainly trimmed up. I have been doing a lot of work with my trainer because I didn't want to let myself down.
"There is a lot of high-intensity circuit training and it is amazing to get rid of the extra pounds. I have also been careful. I cut out the enjoyable things during the week, the floury carbs."
Jimi, 40, said his first day on set at Corrie had been nerve wracking, but that Jimmi Harkishin, who plays Dev Alahan, had helped him settle in.
He said: "It was so surreal. Nothing prepares you for walking into the green room at Coronation Street and seeing all the well-loved TV characters making tea and eating biscuits around you.
"It doesn't matter what you have done before, you are quite nervous. But everyone has been really nice. Me and Jimmi work well together. He made me feel so comfortable."
Of his new character, he teased: "It's really good fun being in Corrie. Kal puts people through hard circuits, but he's a funny, cheeky chap. He's cool.
"I'd like to think of him as charming and inspiring but there is another side to him - this is what you're going to find out. He had a wife and she died. He's single - anything is possible."
