pounds 30m RIO SIGNS UP FOR FOOTBALLERS' WIVES

ENGLAND soccer star Rio Ferdinand is set to make his acting debut in ITV's Footballers' Wives.

The pounds 30million Manchester United ace has secretly filmed scenes for the second series, which will be shown later this year.

The defender has a cameo role, along with fellow international Sol Campbell, and will be seen strolling over London's Waterloo Bridge. After filming two weeks ago, Rio, 23, said: "This is a dream come true for me. I was always first to volunteer for the school plays. Footballers' Wives is a great series. All the England team enjoy it. I suppose we can see ourselves in some of the characters."

Nervous Rio was helped through his lines by actor Christian Solimeno, who plays sex-crazed manager Jason Turner. He said: "Rio is a natural. He was brilliant." Meanwhile Rio, who is house-hunting with girlfriend Rebecca Ellison in the upmarket suburb of Hale, Cheshire, has become a virtual recluse living at Mottram Hall Hotel near Prestbury. "When he used the bar and restaurant he was mobbed by fans," said one of the staff.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.