Adam Fogerty is joining the cast of BBC 1 soap Doctors today.

The 38-year-old actor, who has also starred alongside big names such as Vinnie Jones and Brad Pitt in the Guy Ritchie film Snatch, will become a regular on the screen when he guest stars as hard-man Sid Harrington.

His character desperately tries rebuilding family life after time in prison.

"It is a really good part. It is all about this character's struggle to stay out of prison and enjoy being with his family again.

"I really enjoyed working on the show, which is filmed in Birmingham. The cast and crew are great," he said.

The star, who fell into the profession by accident 15 years ago, now divides his time between the film set and his Linthwaite chippy, Harry Heywoods.

He bought the shop this year with business partner and award-winning fryer Ian Cioch. The pair used to work together at his chip shop at Brackenbed, Pellon, Halifax.

He said: "I used to box and my manager was friends with some people making a boxing film called The Power of One, starring Morgan Freeman.

"I got a part in it and I loved it. I got caught by the bug and I've been acting ever since."

Since his acting debut Adam, who has played rugby league for Halifax and St Helens, has appeared in a string of hit films, including Brassed Off, Mean Machine, Greenfingers and Stardust.

Starring on the silver screen has meant he has rubbed shoulders with Hollywood stars such as Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt and Clive Owen.

He has appeared in several films with fellow Brit and tough-guy actor Vinnie Jones, including forthcoming films The Heavy and Bog Bodies as well as some of the nation's most loved TV programmes, including Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Casualty.

Adam is the son of former rugby league player Terry Fogerty. Terry played for Halifax and Great Britain during the 1960s.