A BAR owner and former Mr England contestant has landed a role in a Channel Four television series as he looks to take the next step to his acting dream.

Thomas O’Toole from Rawtnestall, is currently filming for the third series of British television police drama 'No Offence'.

The 26-year-old, who owns the Live Lounge in Haslingden, previously had alopecia and was a finalist in the Mr England competition earlier this year.

However, he has now returned to acting and said he he hopes his new role can lead him to further success.

Mr O’Toole said: “I’ve been doing acting since such a young age.

“Taking a step back from it to do Mr England made me think I want to get back into acting.

“I received a call from an agency saying they had a role which really suited me.

“It’s something that I have not done before, normally I’m playing younger characters.

“This role is great for me, it’s quite challenging.

“This time I’m an assistant to one of the major characters.

“It’s a more sophisticated role where I have to be suited up.

“There are some long days filming but its going really good so far.”

Mr O’Toole will play a character in a ‘far right political group’ in the series which he said is expected to be broadcast in late 2018.

The show follows a team of detectives from Friday Street police station, a division of the Manchester Metropolitan Police.

Mr O’Toole has been filming scenes in Chadderton for the third series of the show.

He has previously had roles in Hollyoaks, Shameless, Waterloo Road and Fresh Meat, before taking a break from acting in his bid to be crowned Mr England.

After winning the online social media preliminary round, he reached the final in Birmingham in July this year.

He has also previously modelled for clothing brands such as Limitless Clothing.

In the future Mr O’Toole said he wants to gain a ‘dream’ role’ in an ITV soap.

He said: “I want to be in Emmerdale.

“I just think with my background I would be a great fit for that sort of role.

“It would be good to get that sort of role and hopefully this can be a step towards that.

“Hopefully it’s something I’ll be able to achieve.”

The former Haslingden High School and Accrington and Rossendale College student previously hosted his own acting classes after spending more than 10 years in drama school and the television industry.

The sessions took place at Sparkle Dance Academy in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, with students ranging in age from five to 50.