Coronation Street fans are set to be introduced to Tyrone Dobbs' real mum for the first time as the soap signs up a West End star and Brookside legend.
The much-loved mechanic has previously been told by his grandmother Evelyn Plummer that her daughter, and his biological mother, Cassie, is dead.
So when Cassie turns up on the cobbles out of the blue in June, Evelyn is faced with a real dilemma as she has to decide whether to come clean to Tyrone about her lies.
And she'll be played in the ITV soap by none other than Claire Sweeney. First known for her portrayal of Lindsey Corkill in scouse soap Brookside, for which she won Best Dramatic Scene at the British Soap Awards, the actress went on to enjoy a hugely successful stage career which includes playing Roxy Hart in Chicago in the West End, starring in the world tour of the musical revue Fosse and taking on the role of Miss Adelaide in the West End production of Guys and Dolls before touring the UK alongside Patrick Swayze in the same production. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community Alongside her acting career, Claire is also an accomplished presenter who hosted 60 minute makeover as well as BBC One’s Here Comes the Sun and co-hosted ITV’s Chef v Britain with Gino D’Campo as well as co-hosting Loose Women for a number of years.