Former actor Luke Gell has gone from pulling pints as Tim the barman in BBC sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps to pouring coffee at his new cafe.
The 33 year old, a graduate of Nottingham's Central Television Workshop, ditched acting three years ago - although "never say never" - and is now opening the Little Kitchen, selling drinks, breakfast, lunches and delicious cakes.
A closed tea room, called Dazzlers in Stapleford, has been transformed into a coffee shop by the former child star, who has appeared in Casualty, Holby City, Still Open All Hours and, as an 11 year old, featured in Bernard's Watch, which was filmed in Nottingham.
The new venture came about when the pandemic and lockdown made him re-evaluate his life and decide to pursue a long-held ambition to open a cafe and put down some roots.
"I have always wanted to do something like this. I like making nice food and drinks for people. It made me think I just want to be happy.
"I chose Stapleford because lots of my closest friends are around here and I have spent the last 15 years running around the country or abroad with that kind of job. I wanted to be in a community and be close to my godson and the family."
Open seven days a week, the main focus is on speciality coffee from Nottingham roasters Lee and Fletcher - who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year - and cake, supplied by Nottingham bakery Homemade.
A full English, a New York breakfast, breakfast burritos with sausages, scrambled egg, tomato, cheese and hot sauce, kicks off the day. And with bacon and sausage cobs for £2.50 it doesn't get better than that.
Moving on to lunch, paninis come with fillings of brie, bacon and cranberry, tuna melt and the ever-popular Sloppy Joe. Or how about doorstop sandwiches packed with pork and stuffing, cola gammon and mustard and Mediterranean roast veg and hummus?
Those looking for some comfort food, meanwhile, can tuck into homemade pizza, soup or a sausage roll.
"A lot of people are working from home - we have free wi-fi so you can bring your laptop in, have a nice coffee and get out of the back bedroom for an hour," added Luke.
Anyone who remembers Dazzlers will see a major difference, starting with a monochrome colour scheme. The counter had moved, there's been a paint job throughout, new flooring has been laid and new furniture added, including a sofa for relaxing as well as proper tables and chairs, with room for 24 to eat in under the current Covid restrictions.
Luke, from Aspley, will be splitting his time between the cafe and his drama workshop, Inspire Academy, in the city centre, which has already produced some promising young actors.
Shalisha James-Davis appeared in Mary Queen of Scots, starring Margot Robbie and David Tennant, while Lara Peake is starring in A Brave New World, produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television.
"It's about having good people around you and building good teams and in both of those I have got really teams. I'm still really passionate about my job as a drama director but I will be doing some of the food," said Luke.
"I was fortunate to work in TV from the age of 11 to 30. I really enjoyed it and comedy was mainly what I did but I just wanted to do something else.
"It was great, I really enjoyed it but it was very much my choice to stop. I wanted to put down some roots rather than be on trains all the time."
Opening day is tomorrow (Saturday, September 12). Normal hours will be Monday to Friday 8am to 2.30pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm.
