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Has ex-EastEnders star Ben Hardy landed a major role in Queen biopic?

This could be the ex-soap star’s second big leap into Hollywood.

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Ben Hardy

Former EastEnders actor Ben Hardy has reportedly been signed up to play Queen drummer Roger Taylor in a forthcoming biopic about the rock band.

He is tipped to star alongside the film’s leading man, Mr Robot actor Rami Malek, who will play the late Freddie Mercury.

According to The Sun, Hardy – who played Peter Beale in the soap from 2013 until 2015 and appeared in nearly 200 episodes – caught the eye of Hollywood producers.

Ben Hardy, Roger Taylor
Ben Hardy to play Roger Taylor in new film? (Ian West/PA)

A source told the newspaper: “Ben caught the eye of ­producers and he has worked with director Bryan Singer on X-Men.

“After a couple of screen tests, bosses decided he was the perfect man for the job and signed him up. He’s very excited.

“But he’s got plenty of work to do before filming starts — he’s even started taking drumming lessons to get up to scratch.”

The Queen biopic has been years in the making and has been hit with several setbacks, including Sacha Baron Cohen pulling out of playing Mercury in 2013 due to creative differences.

Rami Malek
Rami Malek (Aurore Marechal/PA)

In November last year, it was widely reported that Ramek would take on the role of the lead singer, and filming is set to begin this year.

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