One Day star Leo Woodall has opened up about the brutal auditioning process to be part of the Netflix drama – and how he managed to secure the role after a huge blunder. 

The actor, 28, took on the role of Dexter Mayhew in the popular romantic drama based on David Nicholls’ novel of the same name last year. 

One Day became a huge hit with fans when it landed on the streaming service in February 2024.

During Wednesday’s instalment of This Morning, hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard mentioned that he had to do a whopping FIVE auditions, and that he awkwardly still had a fake tattoo on his neck from his White Lotus role. 

Leo told the hosts: ‘Yeah about five auditions.’ 

One Day star Leo Woodall revealed all about his auditioning process for the popular drama – and what he had to do to save himself after a huge blunder 

The actor claimed he nearly missed out on his part in the drama because of the fake tattoo he was still sporting from playing Jack in White Lotus 

He said: ‘When they saw the tattoo they thought “ok this will be a problem”. But luckily while I was acting I was doing some of this and it started to come off!’ 

Leo played Dexter Mayhew in the Netflix hit One Day

He added: ‘The first time I walked into the room, I forgot I had it on! I secretly liked it. I’d walked in and decided that they liked me… 

‘But when they saw the tattoo they thought “ok this will be a problem”. But luckily while I was acting I was doing some of this and it started to come off!’

Leo played Jack in the second series of White Lotus in 2022.  

Cat asked: ‘But five auditions?! They put you through the ringer.’

Leo replied: ‘The last one was the worst, I didn’t realise I’d walk into this room with the director, four of the producers, the casting director and the show runner.

‘I had to do all the worst bits in that room… So it was very stressful.’ 

One Day follows the love story of Leo’s character Dexter and Ambika Mod’s alter-ego Emma Morley. 

The pair met at university in Edinburgh and throughout the series it’s very much a ‘will they, won’t they?’ type of thing on if they will ever get together. 

The drama follows the highs and lows of their friendship which turns into a relationship in their older years. 

One Day also stars the likes of Eleanor Tomlinson, Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny, Toby Stephens and Joely Richardson.  

Leo previously opened up about the tattoo blunder on Lorraine last year. 

Read More The most bingeable show of the year: CLAUDIA CONNELL reviews One Day… and says two new stars are born

The star told host Lorraine Kelly: ‘I was filming White Lotus and I flew back to London to do my first in person meeting and I had forgotten to take off my neck tattoo.

‘The producers liked me but thought it wasn’t going to work because of the tattoo, then it started coming off.’

Leo is starring in the new drama Prime Target as mathematician Edward Brook. 

Speaking about his new alter-ego, Leo told Cat and Ben: ‘Yeah he is different. I knew that going in.

‘That’s one of the reasons I wanted to do it. I wanted a challenge.

‘I’ve so far played characters that are very chatty, very sociable and he’s the complete opposite. 

Leo appeared on This Morning to talk about his new role

‘He’s just so driven that he can reject people and can come off as very unfriendly and awkward. He loves numbers.’ 

The Holby City star did have a few extra math lessons to get into Edward’s head a bit more, but realised he may have to just put the book down.

Leo explained: ‘We had a math’s genius as a consultant and he came up with all the stuff you see in the show, I tried to understand it but I was a lost cause. 

‘I just memorised it.’

Leo has had an extremely successful career since his first role on Holby City in 2019.

That isn’t the only programme he’s been in.  The star has also landed roles in Vampire Academy, Citadel and film Cherry. 

Leo will also play Roxster in the new Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy film. 

This Morning airs on ITV from 10am.