Phoenix Nights star Ted Robbins has joined the cast of Coronation Street.
Producer Stuart Blackburn told journalists today (August 11) that Robbins will play a long-desired love interest for Mary.
"We've got romance and comedy coming up for Mary," Blackburn said.
"That's for the first time in a long, long time. She's going to meet someone and fall in love."
He continued: "We all know how completely passionate she is - she'll fall in love times 100. Unfortunately it's with a ne'er do well called Brendan.
"Fortunately for us, he's going to be played by the brilliant Ted Robbins, who starts today.
"He did a fantastic audition. He's absolutely Corrie through and through, so we're looking forward to that."
Ted Robbins
© REX/ITV
Robbins, who played nefarious club owner Den Perry in Phoenix Nights, won't be the first star from the Channel 4 sitcom to join Coronation Street.
Paddy McGuiness recently being cast as wilderness enthusiast Dougie Ryan.
Peter Kay also had a cameo in the late 1990s and a more significant role opposite his friend Sally Lindsay, who plays Shelley Unwin, in January 2004.
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