While many of us wouldn’t know Peter Reckell if he came up and bit us on the ass, there are hordes of fans who would kill to have this guy even consider biting them on the ass. For 13 years, Reckell has played the hunky Bo Brady on the daytime soap Days of Our Lives. Even at the ripe old age of 47, Reckell’s square-jawed, glinty-eyed, tight-butted good looks continue to set hearts and loins aquiver in an estimated 400 million households worldwide. This week, the South Shore Music Circus and the Cape Cod Melody Tent will host a Days of Our Lives " Outdoor Festival, " in which the smitten masses will be able not only to clap eyes on Reckell (and other cast members) in the flesh, but may also get the opportunity to — deep breath — speak to the man. The Phoenix spoke with Reckell in LA for about eight seconds during a shooting break.

Q: Bo Brady. Holy crap. You’re the most famous person I’ve ever interviewed.

A: Hee hee.

Q: Do you ever look in the mirror and say, " I’m famous! " ?

A: Not really. It’s my job. It’s something I do for a living.

Q: Are you mobbed by fans every time you set foot out of your front door?

A: Well, LA is kind of like a cocoon. Everyone’s used to seeing faces they recognize. When I go out of town, say to Boston, people get more excited. Our fans are so vocal and passionate.

Q: Are some of them a bit nutty — those who think you’re really Bo?

A: That does happen. Reality sort of crosses a line. But we’re in people’s living rooms three or four times a week, which is an awful lot, so it’s understandable. You get used to it.

Q: Does it bother you that people assume because you’re a soap star, you must be shallow?

A: Yes. As a matter of fact, when I first met my wife, that made it difficult for me. We met at a charity event where she was singing. I loved her the moment I saw her. I went up and said hi. But because she knew I was a soap actor, it took quite a few tries before I could get her to talk back to me.

Q: Did your marriage leave a trail of broken hearts?

A: A lot of my fans don’t like to hear [that] I’m happily married.

Q: Do you like being on As the World Turns?

A: It’s Days of Our Lives.

Q: Oh, right. Do you like it?

A: Yes. There’s nothing I love more. I’m the luckiest guy alive. I have a great job. It’s like cowboys and Indians — you get to be a kid, play pretend every day.

Q: Doesn’t it get boring? Don’t you want to get out and try your hand at Chekhov or something?

A: I have gone out and done other things. I did a couple of seasons of Knots Landing.

Q: Do you make tons of money?

A: Well, we’re not like nighttime or movie actors, but I’ve got a steady job, and there’s not too many actors who can say that. I have to go. They’re calling me.

Q: Okay. Thanks for —

A: [Click]

The Days of Our Lives festival runs on July 6 and 7. Tickets are $39 and $48.50. Call (781) 383-1400 or (508) 775-9100 for more information.