Bernard to play Blunket

Last updated at 12:59 10 June 2005


Award-winning actor Bernard Hill will portray David Blunkett in an explosive TV film about his notorious affair with Kimberly Quinn and shock resignation.

Hill, who has appeared in The Rings trilogy and Titanic, and on television in ground-breaking fare such as The Boys From The Blackstuff and The Grid, has started to grow a beard (which will have to be dyed) in preparation for the role of the former Home Secretary.

It's a scorching bit of casting for the 90-minute drama, called A Very Social Secretary, which starts filming on July 11.

Three actresses are in the running to portray Ms Fortier, and other actors are being auditioned to play Tony and Cherie Blair, plus Boris Johnson, the editor of the Spectator where Ms Quinn is publisher.

The only carping about Mr Hill's casting could come from hard-line Sheffielders who might take umbrage at the fact that a Mancunian has been contracted to play a son of Sheffield.

As someone who was born and raised in Surrey, I couldn't give a monkeys except to say that Mr Hill is a top-of-the-line actor.

Director Jon Jones will work from Alistair Beaton's satirical screenplay on locations in London.

The film will launch Channel 4's digital network More 4 and will probably be broadcast later on the main Four channel.

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