Vince Colosimo returns to Underbelly amid real-life drug-driving ­allegations

TROUBLED actor Vince Colosimo has returned to his most famous role as he tries to re-establish his ­career in the face of drug-driving ­allegations.

Vince Colosomo outside his house in Carlton North. Picture: Josie Hayden

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TROUBLED actor Vince Colosimo has returned to his most famous role as he tries to re-establish his ­career in the face of drug-driving ­allegations.

Vince Colosomo outside his house in Carlton North. Picture: Josie Hayden

Colosimo has been cast as Carlton gangster Alphonse Gangitano in the new Channel 9 miniseries Underbelly Files: Chopper.

The two-part, four-hour production is a spin-off from the successful Underbelly crime series and will focus on the early years of Mark “Chopper” Read’s colourful life.

Colosimo memorably played Gangitano in the first Underbelly series in 2008 and had a role in the film, Chopper, which was released in 2000.

And outside Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Josie Hayden

With production starting in Melbourne last week on the Chopper miniseries, Colosimo was spotted briefly on the set.

“He was really upbeat, he looked good, he was not moody or scattered or anything,” a source said.

“He was talking to everybody and seemed really happy. I think a lot of people in the industry want to help him.”

Colosimo is facing charges of driving a car while under the influence of drugs and driving while suspended.

He did not attend the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last Thursday to deal with the matters, a move which enraged Magistrate Ross Maxted.

Vince Colosimo as Alphonse Gangitano in a scene from Underbelly.

Colosimo was allegedly whacked on the deadly drug ice when police pulled him over in his black Saab in Melbourne’s CBD on March 5.

He was already suspended from driving after losing his licence on demerit points a month earlier but he claimed he had no idea his licence had been suspended.

Police allege the Underbelly star lied when asked if he had consumed any illicit drugs on the day or in the days prior.

The matter will return to court in November.

Colosimo was spotted in Melbourne’s north yesterday afternoon and appeared frantic as he kept a person giving him a lift waiting for about five minutes while he got ready to leave a property.

When approached by the Sunday Herald Sun, Colosimo remained tight-lipped.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have anything to say,” he said. “I don’t want to comment.”