Paul O'Grady says he loved his Holby City role because he got to lie in bed all day.
The For The Love Of Dogs presenter landed a four-episode part in the BBC drama, playing a dying cancer patient at the hospital.
He said: "It was a nice job because I'd go in and get into bed. I lay in bed all day, even though I was dying, but in that respect it was a great job."
Paul, 58, said he found the amount of crying during the emotional scenes tough to deal with.
"At the end of the day when we cut you thought, 'Oh, thank god that's over.' I know so many people that have died that all I wanted to do was show the bravery that they showed. A lot of people living with cancer are incredibly brave and that's why I wanted to make my character a toughie," he said.
While Paul wouldn't rule out more acting roles, he said it had been an eye opener at how hard actors work.
He said: "The hours are ridiculously long and you have to learn all these scripts when you get home. They have a tough old life.
"I wouldn't touch a soap with a barge pole, no way, they'd kill me off after two weeks. It's just full on - you start at the crack of dawn and you don't get home until late at night and then you've got to learn lots of scripts.
"I don't see how you could have a life, or even do your washing. No, I'd crack up, no."
Paul O'Grady is supporting Pedigree's Buy One, Feed One initiative to make the largest ever donation of food to rescue dogs. Visit your local store to pick up a special pack. See pedigree.com/brighterfutures for more information.
