Sly’s Surprising Advice: Emmerdale Star Tony Fillingham Opens Up About Hollywood Encounter with Sylvester Stallone

In a remarkable Hollywood moment, Emmerdale star Tony Fillingham has shared a fascinating encounter with one of cinema’s greatest action stars, Sylvester Stallone, who gave him a piece of advice that may come as a surprise to many.

Fillingham, who has appeared in multiple small roles in Emmerdale, including playing a taxi driver, a bus driver, and a Dingle cousin at Zak Dingle’s wedding, recently opened up about a once-in-a-lifetime moment he had while filming a Warburtons advertisement alongside the legendary actor. For many fans of Rocky and The Expendables, this would be a dream come true — but the advice Sly gave him was unexpected.

A Friendly Warning: Avoid Bruce Willis

The story goes that while filming the commercial, Stallone, ever the gracious superstar, encouraged Tony to call him “Sly” and immediately began offering advice about navigating the tough world of Hollywood. But it wasn’t the usual “follow your dreams” kind of wisdom; instead, Sly warned Tony not to work with Bruce Willis.

Apparently, according to Stallone, the Die Hard star has a reputation for being always late on set. “He told me to never work with Bruce Willis,” Tony recalled with a laugh. “Apparently, Bruce is always late!”

This revelation ties into the reportedly strained relationship between Stallone and Willis during their time working together on The Expendables films. The duo shared the screen in the action-packed franchise, but their working relationship soured after a financial dispute. Willis was said to have demanded a higher salary for the third film, and Stallone didn’t hold back, calling him “greedy and lazy” in a now-deleted tweet. It seems Sly’s warning about Bruce was more than just a playful remark; it was rooted in his personal experiences with the actor.

Hollywood Connections: From The Expendables to Peaky Blinders

Tony also reflected on other memorable encounters during his career. Though his role on Peaky Blinders as one of Alfie Solomons’ (played by Tom Hardy) henchmen was relatively small, Tony couldn’t hide his excitement about being on set with Hardy, a star he admires deeply. “I’m a huge fan of Tom Hardy. I loved him in The Take,” Tony said. “Just being on that set was incredible.”

It wasn’t just Hollywood icons Tony got to meet. He had another brush with fame when he was cast in Time, the BBC drama starring Stephen Graham. Unfortunately, due to testing positive for COVID-19, Tony was replaced in the role, though he didn’t let that stop him from continuing to pursue his career.

From Tipping Point to the Top: A Family Dream Come True

In addition to his acting career, Tony’s life took an unexpected turn when he appeared on the ITV quiz show Tipping Point. A moment of fatherly motivation pushed him to apply. “My daughter had just passed her driving test, and I couldn’t afford a car for her,” he explained. “I joked, ‘I’ll go on Tipping Point and win the money.’”

That joke turned into reality when Tony applied online, and just two weeks later, he found himself filming at the studio. The result? A £2,300 jackpot, which he used to buy his daughter a car and surprise her at university. “I ended up winning enough to buy my daughter a car, pay for her insurance, and surprise her at uni. That was the goal all along, and I’m really proud I made it happen.”

Conclusion: A Career Full of Surprises

Tony Fillingham’s career has been filled with incredible moments, from his time on Emmerdale to his memorable experiences with Hollywood icons like Stallone and Hardy. His down-to-earth nature and dedication to his family have made him a beloved figure among fans. Whether he’s playing a small role on a soap or winning big on a quiz show, Tony continues to make an impact.

And as for Stallone’s advice? It seems that, even in Hollywood, not every piece of advice is about chasing your dreams — sometimes, it’s about knowing who to avoid!