TV
Payne to star as George Best in BBC drama
Published Thursday, Nov 27 2008, 11:12 GMT | By Simon Reynolds
Rex Features
The drama will follow Best and his mother Anne as they succumb to alcoholism in the '60s and '70s.
Joining Payne (Waterloo Road, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day) in the cast are The Street's Michelle Fairley as his mother Anne and Lorcan Cranitch (Cracker) as his father Dickie.
"It is going to be very powerful and emotional but may be difficult to watch for some fans," a source told The Mirror.
The footballer's life was the subject of the 2000 film Best, starring John Lynch and Patsy Kensit.
Best died in 2005 after a long battle with ill health. He played 37 times for Northern Ireland and is hailed as one of Manchester United's greatest players of all time.
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