Last updated at 14:45, Sunday, 27 January 2013

A FORMER soap star paid a visit to Barrow on a mission to promote his award-winning cheesy creations.

TASTE TEST: Saddleworth Cheese business partners Sean Wilson and Mark ‘Rev’ Revell give Asda customers Dereck Woods, 56, and Jeff Gaskell, 49, both of Askam, a taste of the two cheese flavours Asda supply – How’s Yer Father and Mouth Almighty

Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in Coronation Street for 21 years, was in Asda, Walney Road, on Friday to dish out samples from his Artisan Lancashire Cheeses.

He has no plans to return to the cobbles, and said he is fully focused on making the best cheeses possible.

He said: “I will act again, but never with Coronation Street. They were very rude to me when I left, I would rather walk down any other street even if I had a nail in my shoe.”

Mr Wilson, 47, established The Saddleworth Cheese Company in 2009 after learning the ropes from renowned cheese maker Bob Kitching, of Leagram Dairy in Lancashire.

Mr Wilson said: “I have always been interested in food and in the science of food. When I left the show (Coronation Street) I spent a lot of time cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants.

“I was gaining experience at The Northcote Manor in the Ribble Valley when I met Bob, who was making handmade cheeses. He taught me everything about the science of cheese making, and when I entered my first competition I won and he came second!”

Mr Wilson has since won a raft of awards, including the prestigious Gold Medal in the Foil Wrapped Blue Cheese category at The World Cheese Awards in 2011, for “Smelly Ha’peth”.

He said: “When I was with Coronation Street, I was just looking after my own little corner. But now I’m a businessman it’s more personal.

“It’s not just selling cheese, we travel up and down the country talking to people and taking part in shows.”

Working alongside Mr Wilson is long-time friend and former musician Mark “Rev” Revell, 53, who jumped on board with his mission to sell Lancashire cheese all over the country.

He said: “I wouldn’t have believed it if someone told me I would be an award-winning cheese maker five years ago. It’s fantastic work, very enjoyable.”

Asda customers in Barrow gave the thumbs up to the cheeses Mr Wilson was dishing out.

Jeff Gaskell, 49, from Askam, said: “The cheese is absolutely beautiful.”

Dereck Woods, 56, also from Askam, added: “It’s really nice, I will definitely buy some.”

First published at 13:25, Sunday, 27 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk