FORMER Corrie Star Tommy Craig flies out to Canada on Monday.
His mission: to film a new series of the Murdoch Mysteries.
And when he returns Tommy might just be bringing something very special with him.
The Sheffield actor has been nominated for a Gemini - a Canadian version of a Bafta.
The nomination comes for the copper topped actor's convincing portrayal of... a copper.
He played Toronto Chief of Police Thomas Brackenreid in the first series of the hit crime drama.
And the Sheffield lad was only too happy to return to make a new series. It's a part he loves - and there's something very familiar about it.
"It seems I'm always playing a Tommy, or a Thomas,"says the man who grew up in Walkley as Craig Thomson before changing it in tribute to his boyhood hero, Wednesday star and Scottish international Tommy Craig.
"It was Tommy in the Street n'all. It seems I'm destined."
So how's he getting on over the pond?
"I love Canada, the people, the country, everything about it, though I do miss England and particularly Sheffield Wednesday."
A father of two, he will learn if he's won the Gemini in October. He's up against some tough opposition, including Hollywood superstar Sam Neil who has been nominated for his part in the American-Irish production of the Tudors.
"It's a real honour just to be nominated," he said,"and I'll call you at The Star to let you know how I go on - but only if I win of course."
Tommy was offered the part by producer Christina Jenkins.
He explained Christina is a big Corrie fan and had him in mind for the Brackenreid part a while before she saw him get battered over the head on the cobbles of Weatherfield.
"The offer came right out of the blue, I never imagined I'd be working in Canada but I thought why not? I'll give it a go.
"I filmed all last summer and had no hesitation when they asked me to come back this year."
Tommy, will next be seen on mainstream British television in the TV film U Be Dead, playing opposite Tara Fitzgerald and David Morrissey.
Filming has already taken place in Poole, Dorset and is due to be shown next Easter.
"Like the Murdoch Mysteries I'll be playing a copper," he said. "But at least this time I'm not playing a Tommy - this time I'm called Lee."
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