Exclusive: Plan B talks 'The Sweeney': 'I've always had an issue with the police'

Plan B has admitted that he was worried about playing a policeman for his forthcoming role in The Sweeney.

The singer - real name Ben Drew - told Digital Spy that he had concerns playing a man of the law when he was first approached to star in the film adaptation of the classic '70s TV series.

He explained: "I was a bit worried. When it was offered to me I was like, 'Wow, I've always wanted to be in a film with Ray Winstone as a supporting role next to him'.

"But I was worried about the fact I would look too young. So I said, 'Look if I'm going to do that role, we're going have to reinvent that character'."

The 27-year-old confessed that he was persuaded to take the role when director Nick Love said that a man of "Ray's age" would be "out of touch with the whole language" that is used by youths on today's streets.

Drew also debated whether he would be able to make his character George Carter "likeable", as he had never seen eye-to-eye with the police during his youth.

"I've never had a great relationship with the police," he admitted. "I always found them a nuisance really. I never felt the police were there to protect me when I was growing up.

"I was worried how I was going to make a copper likeable. I'm looking forward it. I still need to hang around with some coppers just to see the language and stuff and to get down with the words they have for certain things."

Winstone will star as Jack Regan in the picture, which will start filming later this month and is currently slated for a 2012 release.

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Watch the full video of Ben Drew talking about The Sweeney below: