‘It was a humbling experience’: Former Hollyoaks star Ray Quinn says he was ‘proud’ to work as a delivery driver as he insists he’s ‘never shy of hard work’
He recently took on a new role as a Hermes Delivery driver after growing ‘bored’ after the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to his work.
And Ray Quinn has told how ‘proud’ he was of his temporary job in which he earned £11.40 per hour, stating in a new interview that it was a ‘humbling experience’.
The actor, 32, who has starred in Hollyoaks and Brookside among other roles, also insisted that he was ‘never shy of a hard day’s work.’
Grafter: Ray Quinn has told how ‘proud’ he was of his temporary delivery driver job in which he earned £11.40 per hour, stating in a new interview that it was a ‘humbling experience’ (pictured in 2019)
In September last year, it was reported that Ray had been working as a delivery driver and was believed to have started the job at the start of lockdown, delivering across the North West.
Discussing his role with Hermes, Ray told OK! magazine: ‘It was only ever temporary. I did it for about three months. I felt bored and needed to fill my time. It kept my mind occupied. I’m never shy of a hard day’s work.’
He went on: ‘I have massive respect for people who do it day in, day out. It was a humbling experience and I’m proud of it. There’s a sense of achievement. I’d done a full day’s work, earned a bit of pay and then got to go home to my family.’
Like many sectors, the entertainment industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, with many performers and crew left without work for almost a year.
Hard worker: The actor, 32, who has starred in Hollyoaks and Brookside among other roles, also insisted that he was ‘never shy of a hard day’s work’
Discussing the difficult period, The Dancing On Ice winner said that it was an ‘eye-opener’, adding that it was ‘hard’ not knowing that work was never guaranteed.
However, he did embrace the positives in that he got to spend more time with his family, adding that the period has taught him to ‘leave your ego at the door’.
As well as his career, the pandemic also affected Ray’s future plans with fiancée Emily Fletcher as dreams of saving for their ‘forever home’ put on hold, with the duo forced to move in with Emily’s parents.
Busy: ‘It was only ever temporary. I did it for about three months. I felt bored and needed to fill my time. It kept my mind occupied. I’m never shy of a hard day’s work’ (pictured in Hollyoaks)
Discussing the situation, Emily told the publication: ‘We were renting and then both our jobs stopped and we were like, “What do we do?” as the rental lease was coming up. My dad and step-mum offered us a room so we didn’t have to dip into our savings.’
While Ray added that the couple were ‘forever in their debt’ and told how he and Emily are now renting again.
The happy couple announced their engagement in January last year, with Ray sharing an Instagram image of himself and Emily, captioning the snap: ‘Welcome to the family my Queen #shesaidyes’
Humble: ‘I have massive respect for people who do it day in, day out. It was a humbling experience and I’m proud of it’ (pictured in 2019)
X Factor star Ray went public with his relationship with Emily in 2017, following his split from ex wife Emma Stephens in 2015, with whom he shares his eight-year-old son Harry.
He told Star magazine at the time that he met Emily, who also has a young son, Lucian, on a night out and sweetly insisted that meeting her was ‘fate’:
‘She’s a school teacher and we made it official last June. It was fate,’ he gushed. ‘I believe whatever’s meant for you won’t pass you by. I can’t stand dating apps. A text message or a picture on Tinder is absolutely pointless.’
Plans: the pandemic also affected Ray’s future plans with fiancée Emily Fletcher as dreams of saving for their ‘forever home’ put on hold, with the duo forced to move in with Emily’s parents