A POPSTAR is turning his talents to the screen playing a role in one of Britain’s best-known soaps.

Channel 4 producers confirmed Rick Astley would appear in an episode of Hollyoaks next week.

They said the Lancashire singer would be playing himself rather than a fictional character.

The star is best known for his 1987 song Never Gonna Give You Up. It earned the number one spot in 25 countries and won the 1988 Brit Award for Best British Single.

The Northern Echo dug out these pictures of Astley’s career in its archives for our weekly feature looking back at entertainment.