I was set to be a football star but my dream got crushed – now I’m one of Emmerdale’s biggest names

EMMERDALE star Jurell Carter nearly became a top footballer with dreams of playing for Birmingham City.

The actor, who plays Nate Robinson in the ITV soap, bagged himself a partial scholarship to go and play football over in the US.

The soap star was left devastated when his parents couldn’t afford part of the deal, meaning that he couldn’t go ahead with it.

Despite that, Jurell has a really positive outlook on it all and is “grateful” it didn’t “work out”.

Talking to New magazine, Jurell said: “I 100% think it is fate I didn’t become a footballer and got into acting instead.

“I love it so much! Since I was a kid, football was my life.

“I literally played all the time, in school and out of school. I was confident with football and even though I loved acting, if you put me on a stage, I would crumble.

“I wasn’t confident to get up in front of everyone.

“I am now so grateful football didn’t work out.”

Before joining Emmerdale, Jurell has starred in Now You Know, Kiri, Vs., Doctors and Home.

The star got his huge break when he landed the role of Cain Dingle’s long lost son in the ITV soap four years ago.

Jurell’s alter-ego Nate recently secretly tie the knot with Tracy Metcalfe.

But things aren’t going well for the farmer as he continues to worry about money.

This week on Emmerdale Nate makes a very dangerous decision with crook Caleb Milligan out of desperation.