Absolom almost turned down audition

Joe Absolom says he almost didn't bother auditioning for his latest role - because he didn't think he had a chance of landing the part.

The former EastEnders star, 33, was cast in TV miniseries Hatfields And McCoys, starring Kevin Costner.

Joe said of the audition last summer: "I was really grumpy because sometimes you go to these big castings and it's basically 10 minutes in a room for jobs you sort of know you're not going to get.

"But I did it and then a week later they said, 'Don't shave or cut your hair', which is brilliant because I'm quite a lazy dude, and then they said I'd got it."

Joe said he wasn't prepared for his first encounter with Kevin before filming the show, which has won a clutch of Emmy awards.

"I saw the producer talking to who I thought was a Romanian horse wrangler as he had a beard and hat on.

"I walked past and he said, 'Oh Joe, can I introduce you to Kevin?' I'd been planning on being really nonchalant and went, 'Bloody hell, it's you!'"

Hatfields And McCoys begins on Channel 5 on Thursday, October 25.