'Emmerdale' star Danny Miller has revealed that he was ready to quit acting and join the police before a successful audition for the ITV soap.
The actor, who has won acclaim for his performance as Aaron Livesy, told the Mirror that his casting in the show came after 18 months of rejection.
"I went for tons of auditions and was getting really angry with myself because I was messing them up as I wanted them so badly," he said.
"It was soul-destroying. I kept wondering what I was doing wrong and eventually I'd had enough.
"I agreed with my agent that the 'Emmerdale' audition was my last before she took me off her books.
"So I think I went into 'Emmerdale' with a different attitude - that I was interested but I had almost given up. And they seemed to like me."
On the subject of his soap character, he said: "I suppose at first I couldn't see him as gay. But when they explained the story to me I started to understand.
"The producer said I could have a couple of weeks to think and if I didn't want to do it they wouldn't do it. But I couldn't turn it down - it was too good a story - so I said there and then I was up for it."
Miller's scenes with co-star Marc Silcock (Jackson Walsh) have captivated fans as the relationship between their two characters has deepened.
"When we saw the first script when we had to kiss we were worried because we didn't know each other very well and didn't want it to look awkward. But we're both professional actors so we just get on with it," said Miller.
"It's slightly more difficult than kissing a girl because I'm not attracted to blokes - but on-screen kissing with either sex is awkward. I don't worry about it anymore."
Miller, who is dating co-star Kirsty Leigh Porter (Roz Fielding) in real life, hopes to stay in the soap for a long time.
"I've been in some great storylines and I'm happy to stay as long as they want me," he said.
"I love playing Aaron. It has taught me so much and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
"Life is amazing right now. I've got a great family, a great girlfriend and a great place to work. I'm very lucky."
