He may be TV's bad boy, The Bill's ruthless schemer prepared to do anything to save his own neck. And he may be some people's favourite to the next James Bond. But in reality all soft-hearted Steven Hartley wants to do is visit his dear old gran in Shipley.

Heartthrob Steven, 42, better known to millions of viewers as corrupt copper Superintendent Tom Chandler, pictured, in The Bill, will face a dramatic exit next week when his character's seedy past finally catches up with him.

After months of building tension the frantic police chief is set to leave the top-rated series with a bang in two one-hour specials next Wednesday when fellow officer Jack Meadows finally brings the sleazy Super to book.

But the high drama of London's Sun Hill is a long way from the actor's humble roots living in a flat above a Shipley shop.

He said: "People think I'm from London but my whole family's actually from Shipley.

"I lived my early life in Saltaire in a flat with my mum in Wensley Avenue, near the Ring of Bells pub. We used to live above a hardware shop. I've heard that it's absolutely beautiful in Saltaire now, it wasn't like that when I grew up there, but I liked it."

"I haven't been back up for ages, I'm going to have to come up soon to see my gran, she still lives there. Maybe I'll get the chance now Chandler's going. I was supposed to be playing in a charity cricket match in Shipley last August but it got rained off."

Steven, who has played Chandler for two and a half years, first made his name playing Matthew Jackson in Eastenders in the late 80s, before going on to feature in a number of shows including The Young Indiana Jones, Sharman and Columbus: The Discovery opposite Marlon Brando and Catherine Zeta Jones. He was even offered the role of Napoleonic soldier Sharpe before the series was shelved for two years. When the show was revived the role fell to Sean Bean.

But it is as roguish Tom Chandler that Steven has been setting hearts aflutter in recent months and the actor admits he has had a whale of a time playing the dodgy policeman.

He said: "It's certainly one of the biggest story lines I've had in my career and it's proved to be a big hit in the ratings and with the viewers. It's been great fun playing a man who's on a downward spiral and desperately trying to keep his head above water. I've had a great time being Chandler, I'm definitely going to miss him.

"I did the Great North Run at the weekend and got heckled all the way round, so it's obviously made an impact! I think a lot of people have actually got a bit of sympathy for Chandler at the moment because he's going through a bit of a rough time."

Steven said that one of the highlights of his final storyline was acting opposite fellow Yorkshire actor Simon Rouse, who plays his nemesis DCI Jack Meadows.

He said: "Simon's a Bingley lad, so we get on really well, and we were looking forward to coming in doing our scenes together.

"When I've been acting with Simon he's still got quite a broad Yorkshire accent so I've have to stop myself slipping back into my accent. You couldn't have Tom Chandler from Yorkshire, could you!

"My last two hour-long episodes are going out on October 16, which I'm very flattered by, it's a big honour that they're giving me a spectacular send off.

"I do make a dramatic exit, I think the tabloids got on that last week, but no-one knows yet if I take anyone with me. The viewers are to going to have to wait to find out.

"I actually filmed the scenes back in August but I've been back a few times to shoot little bits since. My father had just passed away so it was quite an emotional time for me but the rest of the cast were great and gave me a lot of support."

With Chandler taking his final bow next week Steven says he's considering several new work offers, including an American TV series, but one persistent rumour is that the handsome actor is on the shortlist should Pierce Brosnan choose to hang up his Walther PPK as 007.

The actor first auditioned for the role 14-years ago when producers were casting around for a replacement for Roger Moore but Steven admits he would be delighted if he was given another crack at the role.

He said: "I went for Bond a long time ago, to be honest I don't think Pierce Brosnan will give it up yet but if he does I think Clive Owen will probably get it.

"I haven't heard anything from them but you never know - they may come knocking.

"But wouldn't it be great to have Bond come from a small mill town like Shipley? We'll have to wait and see. I'd love to do it."