Not all actors can be 'A-list' stars on Hollywood incomes - in fact the majority of performers in the UK spend more time working outside the performance industry than they do within it. Paul Butterworth has been working as an actor for nearly 30 years in everything from The Full Monty to Coronation Street. He talks to UKP-Arts about maintaining and building a career in this very tough business.

Were you interested in acting at a young age?

 "One of my earliest influences in acting terms was definitely my Mum. She had trained at RADA but had put her acting career on hold to bring up a family. Along with my brothers and sisters we would put on shows and perform at various festivals, but at that time I wasn't exactly sure how this would develop into anything more serious."

Did you study acting at all?

 "I actually studied science at school and was heading for university, but at the same time I was studying English and art at night school. I then applied to drama school and was accepted on the teaching course at Central School of Speech & Drama. Although a good course, it made me realise that I really didn't want to become a teacher."

 What was your first job after drama school?

 "I went to work at the Leicester Haymarket Theatre as their assistant stage manager. A great first job that also gave me my Equity card and brought me to the realisation that what I really wanted to do was to act. So I started acting in children's and community theatre and repertory - all of which kept me fully employed for my first four years out of drama school. Then, having signed up with an agent, I made the move to TV and film roles."

What programmes and films have you had roles in?

 "My TV work has included roles in, amongst others, Dalziel and Pascoe, The Bill, My Family, Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Emmerdale, Casualty and The New Statesman. I have also been in a number of films of which probably the most well known is The Full Monty. In 2007, I filmed a feature called 'Wild Child' for Working Title Films. I love acting in films, it's a different style of acting from TV - you can really live the character and inhabit the role. I enjoy TV work too, but it's a very different medium from film - and the working experience is quite different."

Apart from financial reasons, what advantages are there to having a 'day job'?

"As well as giving you money to pay for classes, buy clothes, socialise and have fun, other work gives you characters to study and events to watch. If you turn up at an audition badly dressed, with a chip on your shoulder, having been unemployed with no money for six months, you're not going to be very appealing for that star role! When you're on your third hit movie and you haven't time to do anything else but act it won't be a problem you have to think about. Until then don't give up the day job."

 Once you are a working actor, is training still important?

"Yes, definitely. It's really important to keep developing your skills by going to professional classes - working with people who are as good as or better than you really helps you to improve. It's equally important to keep fit and work on your vocal training so you are ready and prepared for the next casting. This preparation is essential, even for a small part."

Do you have any advice for someone just finishing drama school?

"There are a number of things I would advise someone new to the industry to do. Firstly, take some professional advice - it will help to give you a good overview of the industry as a whole so you know what area or areas to pursue. Equity, The Spotlight and Skillset are great sources of this type of advice. Also becoming a member of Equity will give you legal protection, often particularly useful in the early stages of your career when you may be working for smaller, less well-known organisations. If you are particularly interested in TV and film work you will need to get an agent and also to be on the Spotlight Link. This is an internet-based service used by all of the main casting professionals. Having a copy of Contacts is also advisable as it contains details of all the agents and casting directors.

Finally, even though you have just finished your training, keep attending acting classes. Additionally there are some really useful books on acting techniques available - it's important to remember that acting is all about non-stop learning."