A HEREFORDSHIRE actor has landed a new role in a popular BBC show alongside a star of British comedy.

Jamie O'Rourke, 41, from Hereford, is appearing in series two of dark comedy drama series "The Outlaws" written by and starring Stephen Merchant.

Alongside Ricky Gervais, Mr Merchant was the co-writer and co-director of the British TV comedy series The Office, and co-writer, co-director, and co-star of both Extras and Life's Too Short.

He has received numerous accolades, including two Golden Globes, three BAFTA's , and four British Comedy Awards.

OTHER NEWS:

The BAFTA nominated show is in its second series and is filmed in and around Bristol, the home town of Mr Merchant.

Mr O'Rourke worked at the Sony Centre in Widemarsh Street before embarking on his acting career in 2016.

He was approached by the production company to play the role of a sex slave during a scene with the star and said it was too good to turn down.

He said: "When your agent approaches you and says that you're going to be completely naked in a scene, it's quite daunting, but filming with someone as fantastic as Stephen Merchant, it's not really something you can say no to.

"Fortunately, as things progressed, I was at least able to wear underwear."

The show sees a group of misfits working off their convictions through community service while tackling the highs and lows of life as petty criminals and also stars Hollywood star Christopher Walken.

Mr O’Rourke said: "Mr Walken wasn't on set during the filming of my scene, so I wasn't able to meet him, but I did share his chauffeur and assistant which was quite surreal."

Mr O'Rourke has previously worked alongside Mark Wahlberg in Transformers 5 and will also be appearing in the upcoming romantic comedy "Flatshare" with Jessica Brown-Findlay, who is best known for her role as Lady Sybil Crawley in the ITV television period drama series Downton Abbey.