Former Eastenders actor Shane Richie is set to join the cast of Channel 4 drama, Skins.

Richie will play the part of a trendy professor who ends up sleeping with one of his much younger students.

An insider told The Sun: “Shane is a big fan of Skins and jumped at the chance of a part ? even though it’s quite a risque role.

“Scriptwriters are toying with the idea of him taking one of the pupils to bed. It promises to be pretty shocking stuff, but in the context of the show it’s no surprise.

“Skins is all about causing controversy by showing exactly what really goes on in the lives of today’s teens.”