HELEN LEDERER JOINS THE CAST OF CORONATION STREET IN GUEST ROLE

Acclaimed comedian and actress Helen Lederer is to guest star in Coronation Street next week alongside soap legend William Roache CBE.

Silver Fox Ken Barlow will prove he still has what it takes to woo the ladies when he catches the eye of Elspeth, played by Helen, during a singles cocktail night at the Chariot Square Hotel.

Having sent drinks over to Ken and his son in law Steve, Elspeth is invited to join them, leaving Steve gutted that his octogenarian father-in-law has managed to hit it off with an attractive lady whilst he hasn’t met anyone.

Helen said: "It came out of the blue but for me Coronation Street, of all the soaps, is the most substantial and ironic with such humour, it's really a class act. So when you get the call for Coronation Street you drop everything...

"And to be offered a part playing a role opposite William Roache is even more exciting, I had met him once before when I sat next to him at an event and I thought what a lovely man he was and so personable. So for me to be offered this brief role was a joy."

Helen will appear in the episode on Wednesday March 27th.