ITV Coronation Street to welcome new character Frank as former Brookside star joins soap

Coronation Street recently announced the comeback of a character and now they're announcing the arrival of someone new. The ITV soap has mysteriously revealed that former Brookside star Simon O'Brien has joined the cast.

He'll play the role of Frank Bardsley, a mysterious new love interest for one Weatherfield resident, but is reportedly then set to have a relationship with an entirely different cobbles character.

Tweeting a picture of Brian on Thursday (May 5), a tweet from the official Corrie account read: "Welcome, the newest member of the team, Frank Bardsley, played by Simon O'Brien! Could love be in the air for a lucky someone on The Street?"

READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street fans figure out Abi's mystery helper as they predict paternity twist for baby Alfie

The post has come as a surprise to fans of the ITV soap who are already remembering Simon for his past TV work. @hughesjg tweeted: "My goodness! Right then, a call to the wonderful Gillian Kearney next, please. Let's reunite 'Damon and Debbie'. #Brookside #Corrie."

"Oh my lord I was quite taken with ‘Damon’ back In the day," @1melhemmings commented ad @Auntygoya replied: "Fantastic!! Damien lives on."

@hilssinger wrote: "Damon!!!!!!! Brookside was my favourite!!!" while @HarteElisabeth replied: "Aw bless Simes. He’ll always be Damon to me."

They were also guessing who the love interest may be and they've made it clear who'd they like to see loved up on the cobbles. @SusannaCupCake tweeted: "I hope it's Mary she deserves some love."

"Oh please let it be Mary she deserves love and fun and Frank looks a tad cheeky and would suit Mary," @Trustme2222 replied.

However, Digital Spy reports that Simon started filming at Corrie two months ago and his character Frank