Gregory Finnegan doesn't have any "massive expectation" of winning at the National Television Awards.
Gregory Finnegan as James
The 'Hollyoaks' actor is up against former 'Coronation Street' star Katie McGlynn, 'EastEnders' actor Danny Dyer, and Emmerdale's Danny Miller for the Serial Drama Performance at this year's National Television Awards, but he was "shocked" to be nominated and would be even more surprised if he scooped the gong.
Gregory - who plays James Nightingale in the Channel 4 soap - exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It was something of a shock to be nominated. I'm really looking forward to it, I've never been.
"It should be a bit of a laugh I'm sure.
"Like most people, the red carpet stuff I'm not brilliant at. I'm not a natural extrovert in that way.
"But I certainly like going along. It's just really nice to be in the mix for it.
"When you don't have any massive expectation of winning it takes the pressure off, and you can sit back and enjoy it."
Gregory insists he is in the "rank outsider position" out of the four nominees, but admitted he didn't expect to win Best Actor at last year's British Soap Awards before he scooped the prize.
He said: "I suppose there are some big hitters in that category who have all had some fantastic years.
"I didn't expect the Soap Awards, so if it happens it'll be amazing, but I'm certainly not going there expecting anything.
"I put myself in the rank outsider position."
'Hollyoaks' is up for the Serial Drama accolade at the NTAs, and Gregory says the soap are going into this year's event "more hopeful" than in previous years.
He added: "I think we seemed to do really well in lots of different awards last year.
"We're certainly going into the NTAs more hopeful than we have done in previous years, but we are a much smaller show so we know where we stand in that.
"But you never know."
The National Television Awards takes place on Tuesday (28.01.20) at London's The O2.
Tagged in Jennifer Metcalfe