She will join the ITV soap playing a character called Rana, who is an old university friend of Alya Nazir, played by Sair Khan.

Her storyline will see her set her romantic sights on Alya's brother, Zeedan, played by Qasim Akhtar.

The 31-year-old Lancashire-born actress also appeared in TV police drama Cuffs.

She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the show. Being a proud Northerner, it's a dream come true."

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn said: "Rana is sharp, funny, utterly gorgeous and not a little manipulative. She's a girl who likes to get her own way and when she sets her sights on something, or someone... well, Zeedan better have his wits about him!"