'Hollyoaks' star Ricky Whittle has claimed that the soap's cast and crew are underestimated by television critics.
The 27-year-old actor, who plays Calvin Valentine, complained that the time and effort required to produce the show often goes unnoticed.
Speaking to Metro, Whittle said: "There's an idea that we're the party soap, the happy soap, the soap that has loads of fun, but people don't realise how hard we work.
"At the minute, especially with the late night stuff, we're doing 12-hour days, sometimes six or seven days a week."
He added: "Everyone thinks its all glamour, premieres and parties but they need to realise that we do put it in. We are working hard for a living as well and it's not as easy as it sounds."
Whittle is not the first Hollyoaks star to criticise the public perception of the Chester-based drama. In 2008, his screen wife Gemma Merna (Carmel Valentine) claimed the programme is underrated.
She said: "People just think we are gorgeous models who have nothing else to offer. But the truth is we have some seriously talented actors and we're fed up with being the little sister to 'Corrie', 'EastEnders' and 'Emmerdale'."
Whittle joined Hollyoaks in 2006 after previously starring in 'Dream Team'.
