A rather familiar face is set to join the coveted cobbles of Coronation Street to tackle a harrowing new racism storyline.
Corrie bosses have signed up Daniel Jillings, of Hollyoaks fame, to join the long-running ITV soap.
Daniel played Billy Parker in Channel 4’s hit soap Hollyoaks – Leah Barne’s biological father, who appeared in 2012 and then again in 2018.
The Sun reports that Daniel will be taking up the role of PC Brody – a racist police officer who will be involved in plenty of scenes with footballer James Bailey (Nathan Graham).
And it might just be a match made in heaven, as Daniel was actually a police officer with Greater Manchester Police before making his foray into the acting world – and he often campaigns for the rights of front line police officers.
(Image: Channel 4)
Manchester-born Daniel has also starred in everything from hospital soaps like Doctors and Casualty to Emmerdale, in which he briefly portrayed a barman.
He’s even appeared in Corrie before, though never as a named character – in 2007 he popped up as a waiter, then as a police officer in 2009 and 2010.
But it appears he’s received something of a promotion in the last 11 years.
(Image: ITV)
He made soap history as he is the only actor to have ever appeared on episodes of both Emmerdale and Corrie to air on the same day.
It comes as James is set for major upheaval as he suffers a devastating leg injury which could affect his sporting career, as he’s wrongfully arrested by PC Brody.
He’s offered a whopping £30,000 for an interview with a leading gay magazine after publicly coming out.
But, with the money secured, he and brother Michael head out for a test drive in a flash sports car – and are pulled over by the police.
(Image: ITV)
When James wonders why he has been summoned to pull over, he’s arrested for obstruction and handcuffed – leading to him tripping and injuring his leg.
The brothers later make a formal complaint against the rogue officer, who informs Craig Tinker (Colson Smith) that they’re accusing him of racism and begs the young copper to back him.
Craig admits that James’s driving was fine and didn’t see a reason for him being pulled over – but will he support his fellow officer?
Meanwhile, James undergoes an operation to help heal his leg – but it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to play football again.
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
