Ex-Street star to play gay PC in The Bill

Former Coronation Street star Jane Danson is to swap the Rover’s Return for the mean streets of Sun Hill by playing the Bill’s first lesbian officer, it was reported today.

The 24-year-old actress, who played Leanne Battersby in the soap opera, is due to join the long-running police drama this summer, the Sun reported. She will play Wpc Gemma Osbourne.

Danson left the Street in 2000 after three years playing barmaid Leanne and has since starred in the ITV drama A&E as nurse Samantha Docherty.

‘‘Jane had no qualms about playing a lesbian. It is a big coup for us to attract another great star name,’’ a Bill insider said.

‘‘Gemma is a great-looking girl. A lot of the male members of the Sun Hill team will be very disappointed when they discover they don’t stand a chance with her.’’

A show spokesman was last night unavailable for comment, but told the newspaper: ‘‘The Bill reflects the real police force where there are obviously gay officers serving.

‘‘Gemma Osbourne will be a police officer first and foremost and her sexuality shouldn’t impact on her job.’’