Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) is reportedly dating ex-Hollyoaks actress Candy McCulloch.

The pair were spotted on a date at an Italian restaurant in Manchester on Thursday and later moved on to Sakura bar, the Daily Star Sunday reports.

A source said: "Candy's been friends with Ryan for a long time but it was never anything more until recently because they've both been in relationships. They went on their first date and got on like a house on fire."

McCulloch previously dated rapper Professor Green but the couple recently split after growing apart.

"Candy's a lovely girl but things with her and Professor Green just weren't working out," the source added. "They both decided it was time to move on.

"When Ryan asked her out on a date she was over the moon and while it's early days it seems like they're both really into each other."

McCulloch recently guest-starred in Coronation Street's online spinoff Just Rosie, playing the arch rival of Jason's girlfriend Rosie Webster.