Fair City star Michael Sheehan had a very different career before joining the show

The actor has played Dean Dowling, the son of Leo Dowling, since 2008 - but acting was always the plan for the Waterford man as he studied law in the UK before arriving in Carrigstown

Fair City star Michael Sheehan studied law in Wales before joining the RTÉ soap opera 16 years ago, and acting was never the plan for him.

The actor, who plays Carrigstown's Dean Dowling, wanted to try something different after he finished university.

As the show turns 35 this month, he also reflected on how he landed the role and the importance of the storyline he has portrayed over the years.

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Michael told RSVP Magazine: "I’ve a law degree. I studied in Wales and then I worked in London for a couple of years.

"I always had a bug for acting and I wanted to try it out. I auditioned for the Gaiety School of Acting and I got in."

Law is a far steadier job than the world of entertainment, but the Waterford native has no regrets over his career path in life.

Michael said: "I met a friend who studied with me in London recently and he’s a high flyer in law. But acting is such an exciting and fun job and you wouldn’t get that in law."

Michael can vividly remember his first day on Fair City and how he settled into the show.

He said: "I joined during the Olympics in 2008. Dave Duffy, who plays my on screen dad Leo, showed me around and where to go for make-up and costuming.

"We walked into the Lotto studio in RTÉ where journalists were typing up the results from Beijing and he just said in his Leo voice, 'Here’s the heart of the action.'

"Dean Dowling is a great character because he can be involved in every type of storyline from comedy to tragedy. He’s a fun character to play."

Dean lives in a van because he can’t find anywhere else to live. This storyline mirrors the real-life housing crisis in Ireland.

He said: "It’s the reality for so many people. I want to play this storyline with sensitivity and I’m happy that Fair City wanted to cover it.

"Hopefully, we’re doing it justice and people have an understanding of the plight of others going through something similar in real life.

"The minute details have been covered, like where he goes to the toilet and how he showers."

Read the full interview and see our fabulous Fair City anniversary feature in this month's issue of RSVP Magazine - on shelves now

Fair City airs three nights a week on RTE One and RTE Player. Have you been following any of the storylines recently?

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