Coronation Street's Lou star Farrel Hegarty 'cried' after getting role as Gemma Winter connection 'uncovered'

Coronation Street star Farrel Hegarty has shared how she 'cried' after finding out she got the role of one of Weatherfield's newest arrivals.

She has joined the ITV soap as Lou Michaelis with the casting being announced earlier this month, It was revealed at the time that Lou and her husband Mick, played by Joe Layton, will be Weatherfield's new 'nightmare neighbours' following on from the iconic Battersby clan back in 1997.

Farrel was seen making her debut in the role during Wednesday night's (February 12) Corrie and Lou didn't make her entrance quietly as she was seen giving Aadi Alahan grief over a purchase in the shop.

She was also seen immediately sparking up a friendship with Gemma Winter-Brown, with their connection quickly uncovered. The pair ended up recognising each other from Bessie Street School, where Gemma’s quads and Lou’s two young daughters attend, before sharing a drink in the Rovers Return.

But Lou's other half Mick won't appear on-screen until Friday (February 14), when the audience will be shocked to discover his true identity - the man with the silver van who has been harassing Chesney, who is none the wiser to who Mick really is, for months.

Speaking about joining Corrie and how life on the cobbles has been so far, Farrel said: "It's been so much fun! We definitely come in hitting the ground running and it’s so nice to come in as a duo - it’s like having a partner in crime there. I think for us, we are thick as thieves and that adds to the relevance of the characters, so it’s been so much fun so far and I’m really grateful to be here."

Recalling how she found out she'd been cast as Lou, the actress shared: "Yeah, I was working in a studio as a studio manager on the side of acting, so I’m glad I