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Billy's second time in front of the cameras

By Fiona Cooper

Boxer Billy Rumbol will soon be seeing stars again - but not in the ring.

The 19-year-old has been offered his second film role - playing an ultimately doomed gang member with a conscience in new movie The Reverend.

The film will re-unite him with EastEnders' Shanie Ritchie and Stuart Brennan, the stars of Risen which traced the boxing career and life of Welshman Howard Winstone and in which Billy played the role of former British featherweight champion Terry Spinks.

The Reverend, written and directed by Risen's Neil Jones, also stars Tamar Hassan, who featured in Batman Begins, and former English World Champion super-middleweight boxer Richie Woodhall.

It tells the story of a newly-ordained vicar in a quiet country village where on the surface, everything appears peaceful.

When it becomes apparent something more sinister is lurking beneath the façade of a local businessman, The Reverend sets out to clean up the village and neighbouring estate.

Following plaudits for his performance in Risen, Billy had considered giving up his sport for a stab at life as a professional actor but has decided instead to turn pro.

He is due to sign contracts soon and have his first pro fight, as super featherweight, in autumn.

But he admitted he jumped at the chance of appearing in The Reverend and will be off to Cardiff next month to shoot his scenes.

"I loved doing Risen so I said 'yes' straight away," he said. "I was well happy when I got the phone call.

"It's a bigger part and I was very excited, especially when I found out Stuart Brennan and Tamar Hassan were in it."

Billy, who works as a roofer and lives with his parents in Borden - his father Charlie runs Rumbles Boxing Academy in Sittingbourne - already knows Ryan's fate.

"I am going to be killed off at the end although I don't know how yet," he said.

"It's quite disappointing really!"

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