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Richard, who played teen tearaway Craig Harris in the soap, is being lined-up to take over from Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe, who hit the headlines by appearing stark naked on stage in London's West End, according to reports in the Manchester Evening News.

The sexually-charged play has been a massive hit, and now theatre bosses are in talks with Richard to take the place of Daniel, who is leaving to pursue other projects.

They believe that 17-year-old Richard, who last year sang his way to victory in the ITV1's Soapstar Superstar talent contest, is the ideal candidate to take the show on the road for a 12-week tour beginning in August.

Equus tells the story of a disturbed youth, Alan Strang, who mutilates horses. And in the daring scene that hit the headlines earlier this year, the character is seen completely naked on stage with his young girlfriend.

An agency spokesman said: "There have been some discussions about Richard appearing in Equus but nothing has been decided yet. Talks are still going on."

Meanwhile, Richard's mum, ex-Coronation Street and Brookside actress Sue Jenkins, was playing her cards close to her chest. She said: "Richard has not agreed to anything - yet."

A spokesman for the Equus production said the London show, one of the West End's most expensive ever plays, will have recouped the entire cost of its run in just eight weeks.

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