Rupert Hill set for The Bill

Former Coronation Street actor Rupert Hill is set to star in a four-part special of The Bill.

Rupert, best-known for his role as Jamie Baldwin in the ITV1 soap, will play Kieran Wallace, a dangerous thug who is part of a major gun-running gang.

In the gritty four-parter, filmed heavily at Millwall Football Club in south London, Sergeant Smithy (Alex Walkinshaw) goes undercover to infiltrate the gang in an effort to take guns off the streets.

Smithy's cover is challenged at every turn and viewers will wonder whether the hardened copper will be able to hold his nerve.

Of his new role, Rupert said: "It makes a change to play such a vicious character. Alex Walkinshaw and I filmed scenes during match day at Millwall Football Club – a fantastic opportunity, and called for some complicated filming, but it was a lot of fun!"

Gun Runner will shown on ITV1 at the beginning of July 2008.