From Corrie sex symbol Jamie Baldwin to the role of a sex offender in provocative new drama Future Me, you certainly can't accuse actor Rupert Hill of playing it safe.

ACTOR Rupert Hill is relishing his latest role in acclaimed drama Future Me, coming to Salford as part of its first national UK tour.

The fearless and uncompromising play focuses on Peter, a promising young barrister with a beautiful girlfriend, whose life falls apart.

An appalling secret about his true nature is revealed when his computer sends out an email to everyone he knows, with an attachment no one can bear to look at.

From the strange alliances of a prison segregation unit, to the trials of life on the outside, Future Me tells an epic story of ordinary monsters, delving beyond tabloid hysteria into the dark, disturbing world of sex-offenders.

“This role has been a dream come true for me as an actor,” said Rupert, during a break in rehearsals.

“If I never work again after this I would be a happy person because I'd got to do an amazing part like this. It's fantastic and I've completely fallen in love with the play.”

The title of the play, comes from prison therapy-speak, describing a more hopeful future version of yourself.

Following the spring tour Future Me will be performed in secure hospitals and themes in the play will be explored through workshops with patient groups.

And although the play deals with serious subjects, it's not depressing, said Rupert.

“Although it's dark in terms of subject matter it's also entertaining and there are bits to laugh at in there,” he said. “It's so much more complex than that and that's down to the brilliance of Stephen Brown's writing.

“In essence the play depicts someone's life and their journey through life, so there are always going to be moments of happiness and moments of upset. That's just what life's like.

“ I think it was Stephen Fry who said ‘you should be able to laugh at anything’ and I completely agree with that.”

The role, said Rupert, has stretched him as an actor, and allowed him to demonstrate his ability to tackle complex and challenging material.

“I left Corrie to do precisely roles like this,” he said.

“I was keen to get back into theatre because I started out there and hadn't done it for quite a while and I wanted to prove to people that I could do more than TV acting. A lot of the Corrie cast make their living out of just being TV actors and I respect that. I just wanted some diversity, and I'm enjoying doing different things.”

Of course, Rupert is best known for his role as Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street.

His leaving in April 2007 left the street without a member of the Baldwin family for the first time in 30 years.

“I don't watch Coronation Street now, but I didn't beforehand either,” said Rupert.

“I don't really watch much TV. If I'm not rehearsing then I’m usually playing guitar with my band Yellow Dog.”

But Rupert has no plans to give up on the acting to pursue a career in the charts.

“We're not a band trying to be hip or cool, or be the next big thing,” he said. “We just enjoy making songs that we enjoy playing.

“And anyway, I'm just lucky to be working. I don't think people realise that in times of recession not as many people want to make TV shows or put on big productions.”

  • See Rupert Hill in Future Me coming to The Lowry on Monday and Tuesday, March 2 and 3. For tickets call box office on 0870 787 5780 or visit www.thelowry.com.