Former Coronation Street star Nigel Pivaro who played the fugitive son of Jack Duckworth is to carve out a career as a journalist after doing work experience on the Manchester Evening News.
Pivaro, alias Terry Duckworth, has joined the National Union of Journalists and is due to start a post-graduate course in journalism next year.
During his work placement at the MEN Pivaro landed his first scoop which earned him a page one byline.
Pivaro, 46, said: "I've had 20 years of glory and infamy – I've had buckets full.
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"I'm not in journalism for the fame, but for a sense of achievement. I was chuffed to mint balls with getting the front page. I have found the last week's work experience with the M.E.N. very useful.
"I have learned that in journalism, you need a vast range of contacts, and to be able to analyse and select salient points of a story very quickly – and to ask pertinent and probing questions, and not give up until you get the answer."
He said his career as an actor and Salford background could also help.
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"I can speak to anyone from Prince Charles to a villain, and every one in between – and have done," he said. "I think to be a good journalist, you must have an unending fascination with people and interest in human life. To me, that's where acting and journalism crossover – they are both dedicated people watchers."
Pivaro hopes to specialise in reporting on security issues and terrorism since recently gaining a Masters in Terrorism and International Relations at the University of Wales Aberystwyth.
His last appearance on the soap was in 2002.
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