FROM grappling with Brad Pitt, as Gorgeous George in crime caper Snatch, to chucking out the riffraff from nightclubs in the hit theatre production Bouncers, Adam Fogerty has pretty much done it all – and the 42-year-old doesn't just have a successful career in acting under his belt.

Adam, who hails from Huddersfield, is also a former rugby league player – he played for Halifax and St Helens – as well as being a professional heavyweight boxer who ranked third in Great Britain.

And it was his boxing which found him mixing with the stars in Hollywood at the beginning of his acting career.

He says: "My first taste of acting was in the movie The Power Of One. Someone who used to manage Dustin Hoffman came to my gym as they were looking for a heavyweight to appear in the film.

"And that's how it started really. I was thrown in at the deep end. The only acting experience I'd had previously was general life!"

Adam has also appeared in a number of other films, including Brassed Off, Shooting Fish, Stardust and Mean Machine – as well as his memorable role as Gorgeous George in Snatch.

Closer to home, he has had parts in British soap operas Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, as well as his theatrical role as Judd in Bouncers.

He adds: "I've been really lucky to work with some big actors like Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Brad Pitt.

"For Snatch, I actually spent quite a bit of time with Brad Pitt. He's very funny and down to earth.

"When I first met him, he answered the door and the first thing he said was 'You must be Gorgeous' – referring to the name of my character.

"And then he made me a cup of tea.

"The next minute we were wrestling, and practising our moves. He's a nice bloke."

After years of film and television work, dad-of two Adam's next appearance on stage will be as Costard, in Shakespeare's comedic battle of the sexes Love's Labour's Lost.

This play, co-produced by Northern Broadsides and the New Vic Theatre at Basford, will open at the theatre-in-the-round on Friday, January 27, before embarking on a nationwide tour.

Love's Labour's Lost is the story of the King of Navarre, who persuades three friends to take a solemn vow to renounce worldly pleasures and embrace the contemplative life for three years.

But the arrival of the beautiful Princess of France and her three ladies-in-waiting throws a spanner in the works when all four men fall madly in love.

Costard is a comic figure in the play, who is used by the men of the court to further their own romantic endeavours.

Adam says: "Rehearsals have been going really well. It's the first time I've been to the New Vic, and it's got a good set up. I'm really looking forward to the performances, especially as we'll be physically very close to the audiences – that makes it all the more exciting.

"I've known the director Barrie Rutter for a few years. I've been to see one or two of his plays before and have enjoyed them. We actually met through rugby league. He knew I did some acting and one day he asked me if I was interested in coming along to an audition.

"And it just went from there.

"I've never done Shakespeare before so it's a new experience for me. But I like comedy roles, and I think this is going to be a lot of fun for everyone."

Love's Labour's Lost opens at the New Vic Theatre on Friday, January 27. Tickets, from £10.50 to £19.50, can be booked by telephoning the box office on 01782 717962.