BUDDING actor Lee Seddon's latest role is heaven sent. The 26-year-old from Tyldesley has landed a plum role in the controversial ITV drama, Second Coming, appearing opposite Little Hulton star Christopher Eccleston.

Lee, a former head boy at Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley, features heavily in the two-part show which finishes on Monday night in which Jesus returns as a fan of the Sky Blues, Manchester City.

Lee is no stranger to the small screen having appeared in an episode of Channel Four's Buried and Queer As Folk 2, the drama Blood Strangers, and featuring in Coronation Street as the barman grabbed and kissed by the character Linda Baldwin on the eve of her wedding to Mike.

But it is this latest role which pleases him most. He said: "This is the biggest part I have had. I was a bit star struck at first, particularly playing opposite Christopher Eccleston. He is the actor I admire most and when you watch him in his scenes you just think 'wow'. I was relaxed rehearsing opposite him, but on one occasion when 'action' was shouted I almost froze. But he was great and calmed me down.

"The drama is challenging and I think might touch a nerve. It asks questions about faith and religion, and about how it can be used and abused."

Christopher plays Steven Baxter, a video shop worker who goes missing for 40 days and nights and then returns to say he is the Son of God. No one believes himuntil he announces he is staging a major event at Manchester City's Maine Road stadium and stuns the audience by turning night into day.

Lee had to make sacrifices for the role. He had to have a skinhead hair cut and says of his character "he is a tough skinhead -- but also gay!"

Lee's acting career has developed from modelling. He first took to the catwalk, aged about 10, modelling clothes designed by his aunt. He continues his modelling career between acting jobs and is based with Manchester agency, Urban Talent.

However, he could have followed in the family footsteps, playing a starring role in sports. His father, Ian Seddon, was a midfield player for Bolton Wanderers during the 1960s and 70s. Lee's sport was rugby union. He played with Sale Sharks, and said: "There came a crossroads where I had to choose between rugby union and the modelling and acting. It was no good getting my face bashed up on the rugby field every week."