Shaun Williamson says sex appeal has led to aggro

Former \'EastEnders\' star Shaun Williamson has claimed his sex appeal has led to jealous boyfriends trying to beat him up.

The 54-year-old actor - who played Barry Evans on the BBC One soap from 1994 to 2004 - says his fame has meant that some trips to pub have ended in him being confronted by guys furious that their ladies are flirting with him.

He whined on Paul Danan\'s \'The Morning After\' podcast: "Nobody should ever get their violins out for me, but no-one should underestimate what it\'s like to lose your anonymity.

"You go into a pub for a very quiet pint and a woman starts making a fuss over you and then her boyfriend wants to knock you out, all that crap. You\'ve done nothing wrong. You\'re just trying to be nice."

Shaun initially loved being spotted by soap fans, but was suddenly brought back down to earth and felt "uncomfortable" with being famous.

He added: "The first time someone recognises you you\'re floating on air all day. Then it becomes a sort of pleasant thing and then it suddenly switches to something you feel quite uncomfortable with. I am all right now. It\'s a really pleasant place."

Following his time on Albert Square, Shaun has acted in \'Extras\', \'Plebs\' and \'Mister Winner\' as well as appearing on reality shows like \'Celebrity Big Brother\', but he is ready to make his return to soaps and would love the chance to appear on ITV programmes \'Emmerdale\' or \'Coronation Street\'.

He said: "To be honest, I\'d had 10 years on \'EastEnders\' and I\'d had enough. "Obviously I can\'t go back to \'EastEnders\' because I was pushed off a cliff and you saw me croak my last.

"I\'d love to get on \'Corrie\' or \'Emmerdale\'. I\'m a massive fan of both shows."