SOME actors are born into their trade, others stumble into it by accident, but for Coronation Street's Stephen Beckett, it was a case of having a "thunderbolt moment" of inspiration after attending a drama class as a teenager.

" I decided there and then that was the job for me and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," he says.

Nearly 20 years on, he has amassed a healthy CV of theatrical and screen credits ranging from Shakespeare to donning uniform in the gritty police drama, The Bill.

His latest project is a very different kettle of fish, taking the lead as Phileas Fogg in Liverpool Playhouse's all singing, all dancing adaptation of Around The World in 80 days.

The show has so far attracted rave reviews for its initial hometown run and is soon to arrive at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre as part of a national tour.

According to London born Stephen, 35, it has been "great fun" so far, but he holds his hands up to being relieved that his solo singing spots are fairly untaxing in their range.

"It's a very enjoyable part to do," he says in his unexpectedly polished, yet warm tones. "I thought it may have been pretty tough playing an upper class Victorian gentleman as they can be obscure and alienating, but his character is gradually unravelled."

Working with a relatively young cast whom he regards as "one of the nicest I have come across", they are apparently in buoyant mood at quite how well it has been received by audiences.

Admitting this has not always been the case, he recalled how one of his personal highlights, starring recently as Pericles at Ludlow Castle, was given a torrid time by some critics.

Undaunted by the often fickle nature of his industry, he felt fortunate in having a rich variety of work since graduating from RADA in 1990, which taught him many valuable lessons.

"There were some fantastic actors in my year at RADA, but some of them did not have the right approach to dealing with the insecurities of the profession. It can destroy you, especially when you go to auditions and casters don't want you."

In spite of its inevitable pitfalls, he could not see himself doing anything else, and he believes the rewards have been immense.

Many will know him best from his 90s outing as PC Jarvis in The Bill, which he gained after two and a half years of classical acting in regional Shakespeare productions.

Admitting that he was made the butt of jokes "all the time" for playing a bobby, he nonetheless recalled the show with much affection.

"I started The Bill when I was 25 with some people of the same age, and we all got on really well, with lots of parties to go to," he says.

"I enjoyed playing my character, who started off pretty clean cut, but became muckier as the years went on."

As for his TV escapades which were to follow on Coronation Street involving hairdresser Maxine, alias Tracy Shaw, he says it was amazing to have been seen by such a huge audience.

"All actors in soaps want to have good story lines, and I got mine with impregnating one of my patients who was being treated for infertility, which created a drama that lasted for a year. It attracted a lot of media interest. You just have to go for it full on in soaps, I had a great time but after a while it does start to repeat itself."

To the disappointment of millions of fans, he says a return to the show is unlikely after leaving in such dramatic fashion, but for him the stage is his favoured medium.

"I love theatre because when you know you're doing a good performance its gives you such a great feeling and a real high, and hopefully a high for audiences too."

Now living in Brighton, his schedule is packed with theatrical commitments including a show in Manchester, not least Around The World In 80 Days.

He added that he is looking forward to the Guildford shows as it will allow him a chance to stay at his new home and visit all his friends and family in the south.

l Around The World In 80 Days calls at the Yvonne Arnaud from January 28 to February 1. Contact the box office on (01483) 440000 for details.