Keith puts best foot forward for comedy soccer drama

Keith Duffy pictured at the official launch party at The Marker Hotel. Pic Patrick O'Leary NO REPRO FEE

Edward Smith

BOYZONE star Keith Duffy is to try his hand at comedy acting.

While some might have found the pop star's appearances in Coronation Street a bit humourous, he plans to be laugh-out-loud funny – this time in a soccer show.

Duffy has landed a role on a five-a-side soccer team for a new TV show that is still being finalised.

He has revealed that bosses on ITV soap Coronation Street have offered to renew his contract should he wish to return – but he has no intention of walking back down the cobblestones just yet. His new comedy drama is based in London and centres around a local football team made up of working class Londoners.

He will play one of the characters on the team and claims the new show is very funny and a bit like the 1997 hit comedy, The Full Monty.

overweight

"I'm filming a football show in the UK. It's based in London. It's kind of like The Full Monty but it's about football, it's a comedy drama," he said.

Duffy says that the main characters are just regular men until a surprising win pushes them to aim for the big time.

"It's about five guys playing five-a-side football that are not very good.

"Some of them are overweight, settled with wives and girlfriends, until they win a game and get competitive and then they start training again."

Keith is due to begin filming the new show next month, which is expected to only take a few weeks.

In the meantime, he has ruled out a return to the troubled streets of Weatherfield because he is happy living in Dublin, spending time with his family.

"There is a contract on the table for me but I'm enjoying living in Dublin at the moment," he said.

Keith's new TV show isn't the only thing that's being celebrated in the Duffy household at present; his son Jay Duffy just bagged a job on the show, The Vikings.

"My son just got a job with American show The Vikings," said the proud father.

Jay tweeted his excitement last week after filming his first day. "Just finished first day on set of History's Vikings. Very excited to be a part of it," he said.

Most recently, Keith was MC for the launch of The Marker Hotel on Grand Canal Dock. He also performed with his band, Boyzone, for a Gay Byrne special on RTE.

hnews@herald.ie