Theakston lands major TV role

TV presenter Jamie Theakston has stepped up his acting career by landing his first major role in a BBC TV drama.

Earlier this year the former kids TV and radio host took a new step by launching a West End stage career.

And now he has been cast as a city dealer who gets caught up in the murky underworld in BBC1 prime-time drama Murder In Mind.

Theakston, 31, begins filming the show next month and it is expected to be screened midway on next year.

Theakston rose to fame on TV’s Live And Kicking and later landed his own Radio show and a cricket slot on BBC Radio 5 Live.

But he unveiled a new direction to his career when he joined the cast of West End hit Art earlier this year.

He followed that up with another stage role in the Somerset Maugham production Home And Beauty. He is lined-up for six-month stint in the show, playing an army officer shortly after the First World War.

Respected theatre critic Charles Spencer described it as a “delightfully rueful performance”.

He recently had a brief guest role in BBC1’s Linda Green.

A friend of the star told PA News: “It’s been a heck of a year for Jamie. He’s been juggling his TV and radio jobs while starting a career on the stage.

“He’s surprised a lot of people by being able to prove that he can act, but the Beeb know he’s a hot talent.