Noughties soap hunk in TV comeback as he lands new role after quitting acting for running a pub

NOUGHTIES soap hunk Rupert Hill is making his big TV comeback after landing a new role.

The star set pulses racing when he arrived on Coronation Street as Jamie Baldwin in 2004, but left acting behind to run a pub.

Fast forward 20 years and Rupert who played the heartthrob has now branched out to become a pub landlord.

Looking almost unrecognisable, the actor has ditched his brown trademark indie haircut for a salt and pepper slicked back look.

Now it's been revealed that he is stepping back into the limelight and will be appearing on hit drama Whitstable Pearl.

He has joined the cast for season 3, and plays a character called Ian Carnage.

The show stars Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan, the single mother of a grown son, who, as well as being a private detective, runs a seafood restaurant with her mum in the English coastal town.

Earlier this year, Rupert revealed he had opened a bar in Manchester.

Announcing the news on Instagram he told his followers: "Taking over #lloyds in Chorlton with @jbfotografick . Opening this Thursday with a big refurb scheduled for September.

"Going to create a beautiful drinking venue with an incredible live music and events space! More details coming soon."

This is the second pub that Rupert has taken on to renovate in Manchester, having previously seen success with his bar The Parlour.

Speaking to the about the venture, he said: "‘From day one, we’ve found this shared passion for taking weary and underperforming pubs with bags of potential and breathing new life into them, bringing them back into the community, creating places that people love to be in. It’s always felt like a worthwhile endeavour."

Rupert shot to fame on Coronation Street as Jamie Baldwin back in 2004.

He loved Manchester so much he set up home in the Northern city after quitting the soap in 2008.

Rupert is also married to fellow Corrie star Jenny Platt, who played his on-screen love interest Violet Wilson.

During his time on The Street his character Jamie, who was the son of Bradley Walsh's Danny Baldwin, broke hearts left right and centre.

One storyline even saw him have an affair with his step-mum Frankie, played by Deborah Stephenson.

Away from Corrie and the star has also appeared in Hollyoaks and Midsommer Murders.

Rupert recently paid homage to his cheeky Corrie character with a sweet throwback picture.

Writing next the picture of as Jamie, he said: "This young whippersnapper just made his first appearance (again) on the cobbles in #classiccorrie I think he might get up to some mischief!! #jamiebaldwin."

The TV star continues to juggle acting with his pub commitments and is still known to tread the boards.

On his Instagram grid he often posts pictures from the local plays that he has starred in, most recently the Time of Dragons.