Emmerdale's Jurell Carter: 'My pro football dream was dashed - so I became a soapstar'

Emmerdale star Jurell Carter was left heartbroken at the age of 18 when his dreams of becoming a professional footballer lay in tatters – but little did he know TV fame was in his future. Jurell, 31, known to millions as handsome Nate Robinson, spent his childhood dreaming of playing football for his beloved Birmingham City and at 18, he was overjoyed when he landed a partial scholarship to play in America. But sadly, his family were unable to afford the remainder of the fees, leaving him devastated.

However, Jurell now believes it was a stroke of luck and good fortune that he didn’t go down the sporting route, and instead got offered a job on one of Britain’s biggest soaps. Landing the role of Nate four years ago was better than any football career. “I 100% think it is fate I didn’t become a footballer and got into acting instead,” says Jurell.

“I love it so much! Since I was a kid, football was my life. I played all the time, in school and out of school. I was confident with football and even though I loved acting, if you put me on a stage, I would crumble.

I wasn’t confident to get up in front of everyone. I am now so grateful football didn’t work out.” After realising he wouldn’t be able to go to America, Jurell decided to pluck up the courage to pursue his other love – acting. He joined an extras agency, where he landed a few background parts in films and then went on to train at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

In 2019, three years after graduating, Jurell landed his dream role in Emmerdale. “I can’t imagine myself doing anything but acting now,” he says. “I found that passion.