He was known to millions as nice-guy PC Dave Quinnan in The Bill for 13 years.

But actor Andrew Paul has now landed a role to star inCoronation Street – his biggest job since leaving Sun Hill station in 2002.

As new soap character Dan Jones, the actor will be on the wrong side of the law in Corrie playing a brewery worker trying it on with the ladies.

A soap source said: “Dan is a good looking charmer with a great line in patter and Liz McDonald is soon well and truly on the rebound from Tony and falling for him.

“But what she doesn’t know is he has history with another Weatherfield woman and when his dark secret is exposed it will reveal his true personality.

“The character is a world away from his days as copper Dave in the Bill.

“It’s an exciting part for Andrew and he can’t wait to get stuck in on the cobbles. He has changed a bit from his days on The Bill so he might be an arresting sight for some viewers.”

Andrew’s character is initially to be on screen for a few months, but insiders say he could stay on for longer if he is a success.

After leaving Corrie, Andrew briefly played Maxwell Moon in the popular BBC soap operaEastEnders and went on to be a regular cast member in ITV’s Where the Heart Is, playing Billy Boothe, until the series was axed in 2006.

He has just begun filming on Corrie and will be seen on ITV for the first time next month.

Andrew’s new role comes as bosses have also signed upSam Aston , who plays Chesney Brown for another year.

It is now more than a decade since he first appeared on the soap

Yesterday the Mirror told howfemale favourites Brooke Vincent and Kym Marsh have also re-signed to stay on the soap until the Summer of 2016.

And actresses Catherine Tyldesley and Jennie McAlpine, both returning after giving birth, are also now signed up until the middle of 2016.