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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment

Bodyguard: Richard Madden is back as David Budd on Red Nose Day for Comic Relief

Richard Madden is slipping back into his Bodyguard alter ego David Budd for a very special Comic Relief sketch next month.

The Scottish actor will be suited and booted once more to protect the Red Nose for a charity special, tying in with the annual fundraising BBC bash.

On Monday, the broadcaster released a photo of Madden as Budd, complete with an ear piece, as he clutched the smiley nose to his lapel.

Game Of Thrones actor Madden starred opposite Keeley Hawes in the hit drama, created by Jed Mercurio, which smashed small screen records when it aired last year.

Starring role: Richard Madden is back as David Budd for charity (PA)

Madden recently won a Golden Globe for his performance in the show, which dominated the most watched on iPlayer for 2018, and confirmed that a second series is under discussion.

The explosive drama followed Madden as police security officer Budd who was in charge of protecting the Home Secretary Julia Montague, played by Hawes.

But with a massive twist at the end of the third episode, the drama suddenly lurched from what everybody expected and left viewers obsessed with knowing what happens next.

Bodyguard trailer - BBC One

The gripping drama proved a triumph for live TV as the ratings soared, although millions were still flocking to iPlayer to catch up (or watch again).

Bodyguard also became the UK’s most-watched drama since records began, according to the BBC.

In the wake of his standout role, Madden saw his odds to be the next James Bond slashed dramatically, putting him as favourite to take over as 007 from Daniel Craig.

The actor previously said he was “flattered” to be linked with the role but “didn’t want to curse anything” by talking too much about it.

Madden told GQ: "I’m more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I’m very flattered and thankful. It’s a really brilliant thing to be in.

"I don’t want to curse anything by saying anything. I think that’s the curse of that. If you talk about anything, you’ll curse it."

He has been backed by co-star Hawes, who said he would make a "phenomenal" Bond after Craig hangs up his 007 boots .

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