Interview: Actor Jeremy Edwards

From a heartthrob in Hollyoaks, to a student nurse in Holby City, we talk to Jeremy about weight gain, living with ADHD – and why being 68 when his son turns 18 doesn’t faze him in the slightest.

Let’s talk about your fitness and weight loss – you look amazing! When did you realise you needed to do something about it?
“I knew I was overweight for ages, but I convinced myself that because I was a Dad it was OK! I was still strong and relatively fit, so I figured, “What does it matter? I’ve had my time as a pin up!” I genuinely believe it did me good to have a period where I wasn’t worrying about my looks the whole time. The pressure I felt for years was horrible, and I wanted to focus on creating rather than selling myself. Now I realise you need to do both.”

What about exercise?
“I go to the gym four to five times a week and focus on weights. There’s a common misconception that cardio burns fat, and weights increase muscle. Weights do increase muscle, which then burns the fat. Weights also increase bone density, so enables you to be more mobile for longer. Cardio, in my experience, works better when you’re younger. There is no point in training like a 20-year-old in a 50-year-old-body. My wife has been hitting the weights and her body is insane! For years she killed herself in classes, and nothing happened. I think it’s important for females to understand strong is sexy. Skinny should not be a goal.”

So why not go down the other route so many people are doing: Ozempic?
“I see weight loss jabs as an unknown. In the Sixties people thought smoking was good for you! I think if you are extremely overweight, have injuries, or a disability that prevents you from exercising, then great. But the jabs destroy muscle as well as fat, so you are weakening your body going forward when you should be strengthening it. I worry that there are other side effects that we don’t know about yet, too. Plus, I know I am in control by doing it through diet and exercise, so I can regulate it myself. I can take time off or increase it, depending on my schedule.”

You’ve spoken openly about your ADHD. Has that made it easier or harder for you to focus on what you are doing?
“My ADHD makes everything harder. I don’t find it hard to focus – ADHD can present itself in different ways – but I do find the anxiety unbearable, and I suffer from depression as a result. The gym helps with this.”

You previously taught at the UK Film Academy as a Senior Acting Coach. How did you find that?
“The class consisted of neurodiverse students, so it was great to work with them. Most performers are neurodiverse as it suits our brains, so that makes me happy.”

So why the transition from soaps to teaching?
“I have always done multiple jobs, so there was no transition as such. I’d actually like to do another soap in the future, as I’m good at fast-running shows. People don’t realise that soaps are the hardest of the genres and they are testing for a lot of actors. Not me!”

You’ve said you’d like your own kids to have separate properties on your own piece of land if you ever moved, with their own families. Why?
“I’d like to keep my children close to me, as I think it makes sense. Life is tough and is only going to get tougher, so we need to stick together. We know too much these days, and expectations are ridiculous. True value lies in family, and I’ve only just learned that, as my family growing up was very disjointed.”

But you’ve yet to reach the dreaded teens! How do you reckon you’ll handle it?
“My daughter also has ADHD, so we have dealt with this type of teenage behaviour for years. We put the work in. It’s that simple.”

By the time your youngest Teddy turns 18 you’ll be 68. How do you feel about sitting down with his first pint as a pensioner?
“I don’t think I’ll ever retire, so it’s of no consequence how old I am. However, I’m looking forward to the two of us hitting the gym!”

Your wife’s 14 years younger. Does that impact your likes and dislikes?
“My wife and I share a lot of interests. She is a highly intelligent woman, and we learn from each other constantly. We have a shared love of art, however, since moving out of London we rarely go to galleries.”

You’ve been married 17 years. What’s the secret?
“The secret to a long marriage is not to get divorced!”

What do you do that drives her up the wall?
“I drive her up the wall constantly! The fact she is in perimenopause makes this very easy to do!”

And what does she do that drives you bonkers?
“Her mood swings are tough to handle as a result, but I take everything with a pinch of salt. Only a fool would take stuff in anger seriously, in my own opinion.”

We’ve seen you more recently return to theatre work – what’s next?
“I love theatre. The play I did last year, Parlour Song, was my favourite project to date. In terms of future work, I’m always on the lookout, but I need to establish myself in other areas first. First off, I’ve my public speaking book, Taking the Drama Out of Public Speaking, whic is soon to be released, I’ve also just shot the pilot of my podcast with Scott Harrison, Two Men and a Maybe.”

Is there anything else you’d like to do, career-wise?
“I would love to get more involved in social issues and make some hard-hitting documentaries. I feel we need to build this country from the ground up, and want a platform to do it from.”

You can work with anyone in film, TV or theatre. Who and why?
“I would love to work with Brad Pitt. I know people who have, and I believe him to be the kindest guy out there. I admire his work enormously.”

Will we ever see you on I’m A Celeb? If so, who would you love to have as a campmate?
“I am always up for a challenge! I know a few people who have done it and they all lived it! In terms of campmates, I’d want inspirational people who have achieved something. Read into that what you will.”

Finally, please tell us one fact that no one in the public eye knows about you – until now.
“No one knows I write poetry. I love words!”

Watch out for Jeremy’s upcoming podcast, 2 Men and a Maybe, as well as his soon-to-be-released book, Taking the Drama Out of Public Speaking.

This interview was arranged via www.thefabulousmepr.co.uk