James Hooton has spent "many years" where he "has not enjoyed" working on 'Emmerdale' as much as he could have done.
James Hooton and Karen Blick
The 45-year-old actor has played Sam Dingle on the ITV soap since 1995, and while portraying the character the programme hasn't always been as great as he thought it might be - he is now going through his most enjoyable spell on the show thanks to co-star Karen Blick (Lydia Hart).
He said: "I've gone through many years when I've not enjoyed the job as much as I might have done and it's been a bit of a renaissance period for me as I'm enjoying the job more so than I ever have done.
"I think that's in part down to working with Karen and what she brings to the table. We've got a lot of things in common."
James admits he hasn't tried to land other acting roles because he "doesn't have ambitions to go elsewhere", but he is currently embracing his role.
He said: "Pay cheques always help! I don't have ambitions to go elsewhere and do other acting roles, so it was always the choice of, 'Could I go elsewhere and start another career path or can I try and stay here and enjoy my time here?'
"Like I say, I'm enjoying my time here."
James has heaped praise on his on-screen fiancée Karen for changing his "outlook to work".
He added to Metro.co.uk: "Meeting people like this young lady here [Karen] has changed my outlook to work.
"It's been 23 years off and on I've been involved in the show and obviously a lot of water goes under that bridge over that time."
Sam is set for some emotional scenes next week when he tells his son Samson (Sam Hall) the truth about helping his mum Alice Dingle (Ursula Holden-Gill) end her life in 2006 after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
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