A HOLLYOAKS star has shared his real name and claimed he was pressured to change it while at drama school.
Luke Jerdy, who played Jesse Donovan in Hollyoaks, opened up about his experiences on Instagram, telling fans he's reverting back to using his birth name.
The 33-year-old, who's full name is Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy, said: "During my time at drama school I was fortunate enough to receive the Laurence Olivier bursary.
"I was honoured to be invited to collect the award in London. There were several distinguished British actors there.
"I got chatting to one of the older actors, keen to soak up his wisdom.
"After a few minutes he leaned down close to my ear and said conspiratorially, 'I'd think about changing my name if I were you.
"'You'll confuse casting directors. They will get you in expecting one thing and then you'll turn up'."
The star, who is half-Iranian, also opened up about some of the things he's faced as an actor from a mixed-race background.
He signed off the post: "I've decided to change my professional name back.
"I felt relieved. I felt like myself again. My name is Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy. I am half British and half Iranian. You can call me Maj."
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His wife, fellow Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood-Davis, was one of the first to comment, writing: "Wooooooo- I never fancied Luke nearly as much as Majid."
Parry Glasspool, who played Harry Thompson in the soap, added: "F yea dude 👏."
And Grace Black actress Tamara Wall said: "This has been the best thing I’ve read in ages ! Yay you!! Love you miss you ❤️."
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