Hollyoaks star Jimmy McKenna is happy to take each day as it comes. The 72-year-old actor is the second longest serving cast member on the Channel 4 soap, behind co-star Nick Pickard.
McKenna first arrived as Jack Osborne at Lime Pictures in Childwall in 1996. He has been a mainstay for three decades, putting his trust in the writers for his character's future.
An Actor's Life
Speaking exclusively to the ECHO on set, McKenna said: "In 30 years in Hollyoaks, I've never known what's in store for my character. I've been in the business for 50 years and all I want to do is keep working."
He added: "I'm still working and I'm nearly 75. I never go up and ask the writers because it's got nothing to do with me. It's Hannah [Cheers] and the writers. They decide my fate, but that's an actor's life."
McKenna quit a career in football with Sheffield Wednesday after a back injury. After acting school, his love affair with Liverpool began in 1982.
Falling in Love with Liverpool
He said: "I fell in love with this city in 1982 when I was working with Willy Russell, Alan Bleasdale and Chris Bond at the Playhouse. As a young actor, two years out of drama school, that was some break for me."
McKenna arrived with his late wife Beverly, who died last year. He said: "My beautiful late wife Beverly came with me and she fell in love with this city as well. It's wonderful. Liverpool is a special place for me."
He returned for police drama Waterfront Beat in 1990. Six years later, show creator Sir Phil Redmond cast him in Hollyoaks as an older head. McKenna recalled: "He said, 'I'm looking for an old head. Just to come in and steady the ship a bit.'" McKenna laughed: "He couldn't have picked a worst person for a steady head, but I think it worked out pretty good actually."
A Magical City
McKenna's daughter Natalie also lives and works in Liverpool. He said: "Spiritually and soulfully, I just feel wonderfully connected to this city."
He added: "There's just something magical about Liverpool. It is part of England, but it's like a little republic in the North West of England. The Scousers don't give a s**t about anything and I mean that in the most beautiful way."
Meeting Tony Bennett
A love for Frank Sinatra inspired McKenna's career. One treasured memory is meeting fellow swing icon Tony Bennett in Liverpool. He said: "I somehow managed to find out where he was staying in The Marriott. This big Jaguar came around and it turned out to be Danny Bennett, Tony Bennett's son."
McKenna approached them and said: "I ran up and said, 'Mr Bennett, can I just say hello?' I said, 'Hi, I'm Jimmy Mckenna from Glasgow.' and he said, 'I'm Tony Bennett from New York, this is my son Danny.' We had a hug and he spoke to me for 15 minutes. We spoke about Sinatra and Cole Porter."
McKenna explained: "The first time I heard Sinatra's voice it went in that ear and never came out. He just inspired me."
Looking Ahead
While he does not know what is coming up for his character in a dramatic summer of episodes, McKenna is prepared to enjoy every second. He said: "I don't know how I've made 30 years, but I have. As an actor, every day is a new day. I've always wanted to just keep working as an actor and I've kept working. That's the main thing."
