‘’I'm Old Man Chesney!’’ - Corrie Blog Interviews Sam Aston

Tonight Coronation Street shows their wedding of the year as quad parents Gemma Winter and Chesney Brown finally tie the knot. This year marks Chesney's 20th anniversary on the show, and with that in mind, I was elated when asked to join this latest Corrie press day to talk to actor Sam Aston about his two decades on the street, and of course his characters gloriously orange-themed wedding. 

Hello Sam! How is Chesney feeling in the build-up to the wedding? 

Initially, he was a bit stressed, as they had no money, and all he had was this burger van idea. He's quite a practical and simple guy who was just thinking about money, but once he realised how much this meant to Gemma, wanting to get married, and just be a family, he just wants Gemma to have the best day possible and worry about the money later.

Linda then turns up and offers to pay for everything. Does he feel bad about keeping Gemma in the dark about where the money has come from? 

He does because he also knows that Bernie and Linda don't exactly see eye-to-eye and he is quite a proud man. He thinks that if they have to do it on a budget, that's what they have to do, but I think there is also the element that he can relieve some of the stress here and get the help It's a catch-22!

This year marks your 20th year on the show. Did you ever think you would still be here after all of this time? 

No, not at all it's just a whirlwind. I think anybody who works in the building, not just the cast, knows how time just flies here, it's crazy. I came in on a 6-month contract as Fiz’s brother, and Cilla’s son, just to do a few episodes, and before you know it, I've been here 20 years. When you get a 12-month rolling contract, you wonder if your time on the show is up, but I'm still lucky to have been here. I try not to rest on my laurels, and then when you bring a family in for a visit, you become a fan again and realise how lucky you are! All of the cast call me ‘Chesney’ and now Dolly and Jane call me ‘old man Chesney’. Ben Price (who plays Nick Tilsley) has me as ‘Chesney’ on his mobile phone!

Chesney is that classic Corrie male character that's surrounded by all of these strong women! - Do you enjoy playing that part? 

I can honestly say I have the best time. You know, working with Dolly (Gemma), Jane (Bernie), and Jacque (Linda), we have such a laugh on set. I think Chesney has just accepted the chaos. At first, I thought he was like, When is your Mum going Gemma? She really got on his nerves, but over time he has warmed to Bernie, and they get on nicely. It's a good partnership. Dolly and Jane both call me ‘old man Chesney’ cos I am like Chesney, so that's the name I’ve got for myself now. He is the old man figure in their house who keeps things grounded. He is very beige and very sensible, but it works! 

We have seen pictures of Gemma and that OTT dress. He knows Gemma is generally OTT - did he imagine how the dress would be? 

Yeah, I think Chesney is used to it now; she is bonkers but in a good way. He lives with her and Bernie and must be mad to live in that. When it gets to doing the day, he wants to roll with it and have the best time. I think the dress is pretty epic. When you need a drone (camera) to get it in the shot, that says something, doesn't it?!

Thanks, Sam! Watch the drama-filled wedding tonight on Coronation Street on ITV & ITVX Do keep an eye out for Gemma's epic dress! 

I am @rybazoxo your Coronation Street superfan and Corrie blogger

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Sam Aston goes viral in Facebook video

A little video popped up on Facebook this morning that a friend thought I'd enjoy. 

I did - and I hope you enjoy it too.  Needs to be watched with the volume turned up!



Glenda Young
Author: Belle of the Back Streets

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Sam Aston Interview: Chesney the Corrie Casanova

Chesney has found himself caught between two women, is the relationship with Emma what he really wants or deep down is it Gemma he’d prefer to be with?
At the start of the week he definitely wants to be with Emma. He’s been back and forth in this mind for months but he’s finally seen that Emma really does care about him and he feels like he’s following his heart by being with Emma, and counting Gemma as a really good friend. It’s only after Emma sees how Chesney goes above and beyond to help Gemma when she’s stuck in the van that she puts the seed of doubt into his mind. It’s Emma that sees it first not Chesney, she can see how he jumps through hoops for Gemma.

Once Emma has said he should be with Gemma does Chesney realise that’s what he’s wanted all along?
Once Emma says it and spells it out he does start to open his eyes, Chesney is the most indecisive person in the world.

Do you Sam think Chesney is more suited to Gemma or Emma?
I think he’s more suited to Gemma as no matter who he’s with he always goes back to Gemma. After Joseph he puts her above anyone else and he has done ever since he met her. Chesney has a real soft spot for Gemma, he knows she’s a rough diamond and he wants to look after her.

So Chesney and Gemma finally kiss and arrange a date but Gemma stands him up, how does Chesney feel?
He’s a bit crushed after everything it’s taken to get to this point, I think he’s a bit deflated. It’s taken a lot for him to pluck up the courage to even come onto her so it’s a big thing for him

They then try a date in the Rovers while Gemma is working but that doesn't go to plan either, does it feel like fate is always conspiring against them?
Yes, there always seems to be something getting in the way for them. Chesney keeps trying to make the effort but it keeps getting ruined and that spoils the moment. He starts to feel maybe they would just be better off as mates as it all becomes a bit awkward and a bit forced.

Can you see their relationship working or do you think they could actually find they’re too different and were better of as mates?
No I think it’s just teething problems, I think they can be really good together. I think they balance each other out, Gemma is bonkers and Chesney is a bit more beige but they level each other out. I hope they can make it work, they’ve always been really close so I can’t see them doing anything to hurt each other.

How have you enjoyed playing Chesney the lothario?
It’s ever since he got that corduroy jacket, he’s had girls falling at his feet!

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Sam Aston interview: Chesney steals to help Sinead

How did Chesney feel when Sinead got back together with Daniel?
Chesney and Sinead have been through so much together but I think he’s come to terms with the fact that Daniel is the right guy for Sinead. Chesney can see that maybe they weren’t meant for each other and he’s moved on from that. It was great whilst it lasted. The dust has settled between Chesney and Daniel. I don’t think they are going to be best pals, but they can be amicable.

When it was revealed that Sinead was pregnant with Daniel’s child, how did Chesney react?
I think he was shocked because it was quite sudden. But it proved a point to him because when he left Sinead he was devastated, emotions were high and he said to her that one day she’ll meet the right guy, get married and have children. He was right!

When Chesney found out about Sinead’s cancer diagnosis, how did he feel?
Sinead and Chesney have history together, so he was devasted to hear about her cancer diagnosis. I think it made it worse for Chesney because he was the one to break the relationship off, he did it at the alter on their wedding day. To hear something like that made him feel crushed.

Beth gets Chesney involved in a scheme to fund Sinead’s treatment. What is this scheme and how does Chesney feel about it?
The scheme is that she wants Chesney to steal from Dev. Beth thinks she comes up with this master plan when Chesney is sorting out the takings for the week at the kebab shop, chippy and the corner shop. Beth’s plan is to fake a mugging of the takings. Chesney walks down the street with the takings and then Kirk runs along and snatches the money and runs off. Chesney then must act shocked that he’s been mugged. At first Chesney feels uncomfortable with the idea because Chesney and Dev are good friends. He doesn’t want to steal from his friend.

Once Sinead tells Chesney the heart-breaking news that Steff has died, he sees how distraught she is. Does this make Chesney’s mind up about Beth’s scheme?
Even though Chesney doesn’t want to steal from Dev, he is torn because Sinead is in desperate need. I think ultimately Chesney does still have some love for her. It’s a horrible situation for Chesney, he has this plan that could help Sinead, but he feels guilt at the same time. I think it’s one of those situations that is a needs must, but he doesn’t feel good about it.

Do you think Chesney is thinking clearly when he decides to go through with the plan to steal the money?
He’s emotionally involved with Sinead, so it becomes messy for him. He wants to help Sinead and he knows the treatment she needs is going to cost a lot of money and this plan would provide her with that money.

Do you think Chesney is thinking about what consequences could come of this plan if it was to go wrong?
At first, I think Chesney thinks a lot about the consequences, he knows that if they get caught they could go to prison. He thinks rationally. But once he sees Sinead and how upset she is about Steff, he ignores his head and starts listening to his heart. He thinks about Sinead and the fact that she’s pregnant and he could save her. So Chesney goes forget me, let’s do it.

Sinead later gives the money back to Dev and tells him she found it dumped by the bins. Dev checks the CCTV footage and doesn’t see any evidence of Sinead being there. What does Chesney do when Dev threatens to get the police to interrogate Sinead?
It comes to a point where Dev is about to ring the police and Chesney snatches the phone from him. He comes clean because he can’t live with the guilt. He knows what he did was completely stupid. He felt he was doing it for the right reasons, but perhaps he wasn’t. He tells Dev that it was all down to him, he acts very selflessly.

Daniel blames Chesney and Beth for putting more stress on Sinead with their plans. How does Chesney feel when his plans to help Sinead backfire?
He feels terrible, he knows he’s made an absolute mess of it all. It wasn’t his initial idea, but he knew when he agreed to it that it was a stupid idea. I think in the end Chesney feels really bad for not being able to help Sinead.

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Sam Aston Interview: Gemma or Emma for Chesney?

Has Chesney always had feelings for Gemma?
Chesney has always had Gemma’s back from day one. She has not had many people in her life who have been there for her, she’s a rough diamond.

What reaction do you get from viewers about Gemma and Chesney?
Even when Chesney was with Sinead, when I was out and about I had people asking, “What’s going on with Chesney and Gemma?” so people even saw it then. Sinead is finally with Daniel now but Chesney is really stupid and can’t read the signs.

Did you ever think Chesney would fall for Gemma?
I am glad that nothing has ever been rushed because the natural progression of it works. At first it was just a situation where they just got on really well but they’ve always been chasing each other’s tails and the timing has never worked.

What is it about Gemma that Chesney likes and why do they get on so well?
She is very fun and he has a good laugh with her. He is very protective over her because she has not got a lot of people in her life but Chesney hasn’t either. He has a real soft spot for her because she is actually very sweet.

Why does the date between Chesney and Gemma go wrong?
When Chesney asks Gemma for the date he messes it up completely because he makes it sound like it’s just mates meeting up for a drink but in his head he thinks he has done a really good job. He turns up in the Bistro in a velvet jacket, hair combed over and with flowers; he’s ready for the date because it’s a moment that has been coming for ages.

How does Chesney feel when he sees that Gemma has brought her mate, Spike, along?
He sees Spike; a 6 foot 4, tattooed to the nines, broad man who is the complete opposite of Chesney and he feels horrific. It couldn’t go any worse for Chesney but he doesn’t want to come across as a loner with flowers, waiting for her. It’s one of the most embarrassing situations that he could be in, it’s soul destroying for him.

Is he relieved when Emma jumps in as his date? What friendship do they have?
He doesn’t really know her and he sees her as a bit too bubbly and loud. Chesney sees Bethany in the Bistro and he wants her to stand in but Emma suggests herself so he just goes with it.

What’s going through Chesney’s head on the date?
It’s so awkward and Emma is really hamming it up so Chesney is dying inside. Chesney is jealous of Spike but he also takes an instant dislike to Spike because he is rude. The whole thing is a nightmare for Chesney!

What was that scene like to play?
It was great fun because it’s nice to do it all and have a go at the different storylines. When you get the giggles it’s really hard to shake them off because it becomes this big thing but you just need to let it out.

Do you think that Chesney needs dating tips from Emma?
He needs them but doesn’t really want to say he needs them because he is a lousy when it comes to dating. He has got his son and because of the way things ended with Sinead, he has not thought about jumping into another relationship. He has not had many girlfriends and he has not been on many dates so it’s uncharted territory for him. He should take Emma’s advice!

What’s it like working with Alexandra Mardell?
She is really cool. She plays this fun, bubbly character and she is a very nice girl in real life. We get on really well.

Do you think Chesney and Gemma would be good together?
I do think they would be good together and they say opposites attract and they are very opposites, they are like chalk and cheese. But they work great as friends as well so we will see.

What dating tips do you think Chesney needs?
A lot of it is just basics for Chesney, he is a very distracted person for example on his date with Emma, he just comes in and starts moaning! He needs to learn basic manners and how to make a girl feel good about herself because he is not the best at that.

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