Joe Sugg has landed his first major professional acting gig.
The former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star – who was a runner-up on the BBC One Latin and ballroom competition with his girlfriend and professional dance partner Dianne Buswell in 2018 – is set to feature in Kay Mellor’s new series of the drama ‘The Syndicate’ as an aspiring musician named Sam, who has a hard time juggling his career with his lover Roxy (Taj Atwal).
An insider told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column: "Joe has always been passionate about making the leap from YouTube sensation to TV personality.
"His ‘Strictly’ success demonstrated that his popularity isn’t limited to online, and opened up a host of new opportunities for him, including the chance to act.
"He knows he has a lot to prove and is taking this latest career turn very seriously.
"Just like when he was written off as a mere YouTuber on Strictly, he is looking forward to showing everyone what he is capable of."
The all-star cast also includes former ‘Coronation Street’ stars Kym Marsh and Katie McGlynn.
As per the tabloid, Neil Morrissey has nabbed the role of a newsagent, while writer Kay’s daughter Gaynor Faye is set to play his alter ego’s wife.
The likes of Sir Lenny Henry, Timothy Spall and Alison Steadman have previously starred in ‘The Syndicate’.
Joe’s first major small screen role comes after a stint on the West End in ‘Waitress’.
The YouTube star made his stage debut in the musical in the role of Ogie, taking over from ‘Inbetweeners’ star Blake Harrison last year.
He said at the time: "I’m so excited I’ve been given the opportunity to play Ogie in ‘Waitress’ starting the 9th September.
"I got to see the show a couple of months back and it’s absolutely fantastic. I’m excited to be a part of the cast and to have now landed a role in the West End really has topped off an incredible year for me.
"I hope I do everyone proud and thanks to all my supporters for making it all possible and the best year yet."
The YouTuber previously lent his voice to the UK versions of ‘Wonder Park’ and ‘The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie: Sponge Out of Water’, whilst he bagged a cameo role as Pizza Boy in the 2019 Aardman Animations film, ‘A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon’.