Diddy becomes detective on US TV

P. Diddy is to play a detective in US TV series Hawaii Five-0.

The Coming Home hitmaker is to play New York Police Detective (NYPD) Reggie Williams who arrives in Honolulu to settle a score with criminals who have wronged his family.

The hip-hop mogul is taking his part seriously, and is planning to undergo weapons training and will even spend time with a Navy S.E.A.L. to prepare for the part.

The episode will also feature music from Diddy's latest album, Last Train To Paris, with his Dirty Money group.

Diddy's first foray into acting came in 2001 when he played a condemned murderer in critically acclaimed movie Monster's Ball.

After a few more low-key roles, the rap star hired acting coach to the stars Susan Batson and won the lead in the Broadway revival of play A Raisin in the Sun about a struggling black family trying to make good.

At the time, he said: "You will see me in more things to come. I want to take my time and feel confident. I still have a lot more growing and a lot more learning to do. Acting was one of the most challenging things I've ever done as an artist. It truly changed my life."

Diddy also received critical acclaim for his performance in Get Him to the Greek alongside British comedian Russell Brand, in which he played a crazy record company executive.

The film's director, Nicholas Stoller, said he always had the part in mind for the star, saying: "He was just a natural fit. Honestly, when I was writing the movie, I had him in mind for that part."

- BANG! Showbiz