Former Girls Aloud star in newBBC Northern Ireland comedy

Former Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle has joined the cast of BBC Northern Ireland’s new comedy Soft Border Patrol.

The Londonderry-born singer has a cameo role, although details of her storyline are being kept under wraps.

Filming has just got under way on the five-part mockumentary, which stars comedian Shane Todd and revolves around the teams patrolling the post-Brexit border in Ireland.

Coyle said: "Being a Derry girl I was always aware of the border, and it’s great to get back home, and out filming with Shane and the crew for Soft Border Patrol. We’ve had some craic on location, but my lips are sealed about the storyline.’

Made by the Glasgow-based Comedy Unit, which also makes the police spoof Scot Squad for BBC Scotland, the series comprises largely improvised dialogue.

Its cast also includes Karen Hassan, who plays Soft Border Patrol chief executive Lisa McCoy, and stand-up Neil Delamere as Niall Sweeney, Head of Virtual Border.

Also making cameo appearances are BBC Northern Ireland weather man Barra Best, singer ‘Uncle Hugo’ Duncan and country star Lisa McHugh.

The series will be broadcast  on BBC Northern Ireland next year.

Pictured are Nadine Coyle and Shane Todd in rehearsal

• Click here for our review of the pilot episode, which aired earlier this year.

Published: 26 Oct 2018