The Man City player who found new life on stage and screen

You can watch former Manchester City midfielder Jim Whitley in CBBC's Jamie Johnson FC on BBC iPlayer now

Former Manchester City midfielder Jim Whitley has had a remarkably varied career away from the pitch, from being commissioned to paint a portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales to singing in shows across Europe.

Now he is starring in CBBC series Jamie Johnson FC.

The 49-year-old came through City's youth ranks in the 1990s and represented Northern Ireland alongside his brother Jeff.

He plays the role of Coach Byrne in the fictional, football-themed CBBC show – his first television acting job.

He has also toured Europe performing in musical theatre, playing roles such as Sammy Davis Jr.

Whitley spoke to BBC Sport about how his best friend Robbie Savage introduced him to football, how he got his musical theatre break while at hometown club Wrexham and how he learned a new trade as a television actor.

Meeting Robbie Savage and signing for City at 16

Born in Zambia to a Zambian mother and Northern Irish father, Whitley moved with his brother Jeff and sister Judy at the age of 10 to live with their half-brother in Wrexham.

At school, he became best friends with Robbie Savage, who was a trainee at the time at Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.

"Robbie used to copy my homework and I used to copy his football skills," Whitley told BBC Sport.

After a successful trial, Whitley signed for Manchester City's youth ranks aged 15. His younger brother Jeff also joined the club's academy aged 10.

Whitley made his senior debut for City in a 2-0 win against Bradford City in the FA Cup in 1998 and was voted the club's young player of the year for the 1997-98 season.

Injuries hampered Whitley's progress and between 1999 and 2001 he was loaned to a string of clubs, including Blackpool, Norwich City, Swindon Town and Northampton, before retiring at Wrexham in 2006, aged 31.

He won three caps for Northern Ireland during his career, while his brother Jeff won 20 caps and was the first black player to represent the country.

Jeff experienced battles with alcohol and drugs during his career and now works with the Professional Footballers' Association and Sporting Chance, helping players to deal with addiction issues.

‘My first portrait was of Tony Book’

Whitley studied portraiture and chiaroscuro – an artistic form using light and shade – at A-level.

His first commission was of former Manchester City captain and manager Tony Book. He has also been commissioned to create portraits of David Beckham and Princess Diana.

"I've always done portraiture, it's just a bit of a lonely job," Whitley said.

Jim Whitley presented Paul Burrell, former butler of Princess Diana, with a portrait that was to be auctioned for charity in May 1998

Singing 'filled a void' after football

In 2001, Whitley left Manchester City on a free transfer and returned to his adopted home by signing for Wrexham, going on to be named player of the season in his first campaign.

It was during his time with Wrexham that Whitley rediscovered a passion for singing, which he says he had neglected upon leaving the school choir. It returned when a solo artist visited the club to collaborate on a song.

"She wanted all the Wrexham lads to record the chorus line," Whitley explains.

"The guy who was doing the sound liked my voice. He pulled me aside and asked if I'd like to come and do a guest spot in a theatre that the artist was performing at."

An opportunity arose afterwards to play Sammy Davis Jr in a production with a West End cast.

Whitley told BBC Sport that he found himself moving more into this world as injuries piled up, saying it "filled a void" when he retired from football.

Balancing acting with coaching

Whitley has been relishing his small-screen role as Coach Byrne.

He says that the character he plays is "totally different" to himself, adding: "He's quite tough and unreadable."

The series has tackled issues including racism and homophobia in football.

As much as Whitley would love to go into acting on a full-time basis, the 49-year-old said he is aware "this could be the only role I ever do".

Since retiring as a player, Whitley has also worked as a coach.

"I took the UEFA B badge just before I got the Jamie Johnson role," he said. "The door's not closed on that front, it's just trying to balance various things."