Line of Duty’s Gregory Piper – who plays corrupt PC Ryan Pilkington – in the running to star on Strictly Come Dancing

STRICTLY bosses want to sign up the actor who plays Britain’s most hated man — corrupt Line of Duty PC Ryan Pilkington.

Gregory Piper, 23, seen drawing his gun on DI Kate Fleming in Sunday’s episode, is on a secret shortlist drawn up by BBC producers.

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Gregory first appeared on the police drama when he was just 13 before becoming a key part of this year’s series.

A source said: “Gregory is a household name because of his turn as evil Ryan.

“The pinnacle for Strictly bookers is someone well known but also someone who is on the BBC, and Gregory ticks both of those boxes.

“He’s still relatively new to the industry, despite being part of the series for a decade, so it might be that he sees a jump into reality telly a bit soon.

“But producers are certainly keen and his name has been bandied around a lot as a dream signing.”

In Sunday’s Line of Duty, Gregory’s corrupt character Ryan was seen threatening to kill fan favourite Kate, played by Vicky McClure, 37.

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The episode ended as the two pointed their weapons at each other, before two gunshots were heard.

Bosses on Strictly, which will return for a full run in September, are also keen to land a pandemic hero.

They are lining up medical chief Chris Whitty, his deputy Jonathan Van-Tam and vaccine supremo Kate Bingham.