Borrell to make acting debut in new film

Borrell with Ray Davies / Rex Features

Johnny Borrell is to make his acting debut in a major new film starring Robert Carlyle.

The Razorlight frontman will appear alongside Carlyle and Colin Firth in thriller The Meat Trade, directed by Antonia Bird.

The movie is inspired by Irish immigrants Burke and Hare, who dug up bodies for medical research in 19th-century Edinburgh.

Borrell told Billboard: "I play the boyfriend of the leading lady, who I'm not sure they've actually cast or not. We're filming around Christmas time, or just after. I expect it will be quite fun."

The Meat Trade is scheduled for release in 2008.