HEART-THROB Paul Nicholls is delighted to support the Bolton Busting Breast Cancer campaign and help fund special research into the disease which affects one in 10 of the population.

Former EastEnders star Paul, who is from Smithills, has promoted the work of the Cancer Research Campaign over the past few years and was impressed by the BEN's commitment in trying to help the charity raise £500,000 over the next two years for special research at Manchester's Christie Hospital.

The 21-year-old, who now lives in London, said: "The Bolton campaign is a really good idea and it would be amazing news if someone could come up with a total cure.

"Luckily nobody in my family has been affected by breast cancer, but I was shocked when I was told the survival rate figures for Bolton."

Bolton desperately needs to improve its survival rate as it currently stands at 70 per cent while the national figure is 74 per cent and the North West figure is 71 per cent.

Paul, who has also starred in TV dramas City Central and The Passion, is very busy at the moment appearing in the critically acclaimed play "Long Day's Journey Into Night" in London's West End.

The famous Eugene O'Neill drama, which runs for a further three weeks, also includes performances from Hollywood star Jessica Lange and Charles Dance.

Former Smithills School pupil Paul admitted to feeling terrifically nervous when he was first introduced to such big stars.

He said: "It was overwhelming, but I just got on with learning the script which was a huge task as the play is actually five hours long, but it's been cut to four hours which is still gruelling.

"I am absolutely shattered because the play is so heavy and draining and when I come off stage it's hard to relax.

"But when I say it's hard work, I still love it and it's not heavy work like working on a roof or something!"

Paul plays the emotionally charged character of Edmund who grows-up riddled with guilt after his mother becomes a morphine addict following the pain of giving birth to him.

The theatre has been constantly full of Bolton visitors with all of his family enjoying the show.

Paul said: "My mum came down to London and loved the play.

"Then my dad came to watch it and he enjoyed it, but he kept telling me he thought it was miserable!

"Now my grandparents and their friends are coming to see it as well."

An ardent Bolton Wanderers fan Paul will grab a week's rest after the play closes and is then hoping to be offered a film role in March.

"I can't really say much about the film because it's not definite yet, but half of it will be filmed in this country and half in Poland," he said.

Paul claims his ideal career path would include two films per year and one play, but he is all too aware of the fickle world of acting.

"You never know what is around the corner and I could be on the dole in three months time!" he said.

He remains loyal to Bolton and admitted to often feeling homesick and not wanting to leave London for the lure of Hollywood.

"It was difficult enough for me to leave Bolton for London," he admitted. "Visiting America is one thing, but moving there would be another.

"I do miss Bolton all the time and come up whenever I can. I came back at Christmas for a couple of days and will come up again as soon as I can" he said.

He has already packed a great deal of acting into his 21-years and was only 16 when he joined the cast of EastEnders as Joe Wicks, but is not attracted to the idea of more soap fame.

"When I got the job on EastEnders I thought it was great, but I just had no idea how high-profile a role it would be and I was aware of the media scrutiny all the time.

"I would not want to join such a high-profile series again.

"Being in City Central was great because it was filmed in Manchester and I was able to stay at home and it wasn't as high-profile as EastEnders" he said.

Paul's ultimate ambition is to play Stanley Kowalski in the classic Tennesse Williams play "A Streetcar Named Desire".

He said: "Every night when I get off stage I like watching a film to help me chill out and I've really got into Marlon Brando in the film version.

"I would love to play the role on stage, but I need to age a bit first and it would probably be another five years before I'd be suitable."

In the meantime fans of Paul can look forward to watching his latest film "Goodbye Charlie Bright" which opens at cinemas in May and tells the tale of a gang of Cockney youngsters growing up in modern day London.

Paul plays the title role of Charlie Bright and was so mesmerised by the script that he found it difficult to abandon the chirpy Cockney accent.

He explained: "It was filmed about a year and a half ago and for some reason I just couldn't shake off the Cockney accent.

"I was interviewed on The Big Breakfast shortly afterwards and everyone was laughing because of my accent!"

Unfortunately for his female fans, Paul has been settled with the same girlfriend for the past couple of years and she is such a loyal supporter of his acting that she has watched his current play twice.

Paul added: "God knows how she sat through a four hour play twice, but she did and everything is going well between us." Loyal Showing support: Paul Nicholls Happy to help: Paul has promoted work of the Cancer Research Campaign over the years