Dominic West 'was asked to play Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe'

Dominic West has revealed that he has been asked if he would play the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe.

Last year, West starred as Fred West in ITV1's acclaimed drama Appropriate Adult.

He has now told The Daily Telegraph that he would consider playing Sutcliffe - also known as the Yorkshire Ripper - if the script was good enough.

"Coming from Sheffield, I've been asked whether I'd like to make a film about the Yorkshire Ripper, as he was caught in the city," West said.

"But, as with Fred West, you have to find an interesting angle on these stories about serial killers. I don't think the fact that Peter Sutcliffe is alive would get in the way of making a film or television drama series."

West explained that any screen project about Sutcliffe would have to be dealt with carefully, saying: "To examine the worst of human nature, I think you need a reason to do it and a certain redemption in the story, but just making films about horrible people is not, necessarily, a good thing."

West previously admitted that he suffered from nightmares while filming Appropriate Adult.