Taggart star goes behind bar in Rovers Return

THE Taggart star John Michie is joining the cast of Coronation Street as the husband of the Rovers Return's new landlady, played by former EastEnder Michelle Collins.

Collins, who played Cindy Beale in the BBC1 soap, will appear in the ITV1 show as the pub's new boss, Stella, with Michie playing husband Karl.

Michie said: "My mum is from Rochdale, my wife is from Grimethorpe. They are both northerners and huge fans. I am from even further north so it is the only soap for me."

Collins said: "I am honoured to be joining the cast of Coronation Street.

"The show has been part of my life since I was a child, so to become a part of it is extremely exciting."

Viewers will see Stella brought in to help owner Steve McDonald run the pub after a series of bust-ups with his wife, Becky, leave the business in trouble.

But he gets more than he bargained for when she promptly moves her family in and the truth comes out about a dark secret from her past.

The show's executive producer, Kieran Roberts, said he was "thrilled" to welcome the pair to the show.