James Sutton would be "terrified" if a girl asked him out.

The 'Emmerdale' actor - who plays newly arrived mechanic Ryan Lamb in the ITV soap - admits he is intimidated by confident women and doesn't always realise when people find him attractive.

He said: "I'd be terrified if a girl asked me out. Confidence is a good thing, I suppose, but I prefer the subtle approach.

"I was never very big on the dating scene - even now I don't notice if a girl is flirting with me. I have no clue."

While James - who previously played gay student John-Paul McQueen in 'Hollyoaks' - admits to being clueless with women, he claims it is easy to tell if he has a crush on someone.

He explained: "If I liked you, I'd probably stare. Guys aren't the most subtle creatures."

Despite his struggles to get into a relationship, James has had several girlfriends, though he says it is fear of rejection which has kept him with partners.

He added: "I was always very shy around girls. I had a couple of long-term girlfriends. I think I used to cling on to a girl rather than having to suffer the humiliation of being turned down."