An actor who appeared in both Coronation Street and Emmerdale said he has “taken a second job” while admitting opportunities in the TV industry are “sparse”. Reece Dinsdale shot to fame first as Joe McIntyre in Corrie from 2008 until 2010, and then as Paul Ashdale in Emmerdale from 2020 until 2021. He has also appeared in huge films like Threads and shows like Life on Mars.

But Reece’s last on-screen acting credit came in 2021, and he has since switched to directing work; he is currently helping create episodes of Emmerdale, and worked on Corrie until 2025. He opened up on X about work prospects for actors in the industry with a stark admission.

Reece was asked by a fan: “Can I ask something? It’s not aimed at you or anyone in particular, but how do actors manage between jobs, paying the mortgage or rent, and all the bills?

“I believe actors are classed as self-employed so can’t even claim benefits. Just wondered out of curiosity.”

Reece then explained: “The vast majority of actors have to take a second job these days as it is an oversubscribed profession and opportunities are generally sparse.

Someone else wondered: “Has the demographic of actors trying to make a profession in the industry changed in the last 50-100 years, Reece? Was it mostly upper class or well off people going into acting, then shifting a bit, and now all walks of life? I'm guessing here.”

He replied: “I don’t know the answer to that.

“I think the more interesting thing might be to assess the demographics of actors who are successful within the profession alongside class and privilege.”

He also confirmed he has “no plans presently” to host acting workshops, but said “that could change at any time”.