Coronation Street bosses have announced the news that Les Dennis is joining the soap's cast.The actor and comedian will play petty criminal Michael Rogers, who becomes caught up in the lives of a family on the street after breaking into one of their homes.
The former Family Fortunes host said, "I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Coronation Street. It has always been my favorite television programmes as it mixes high drama with some of the best comedy on screen.
"I've loved it since the beginning. I grew up watching all the amazing characters in the show. I now not only have the chance of meeting them, but also working with them. It doesn't get better than that.
"Les - who recently guest-starred in an episode of Midsomer Murders - will start filming for his new role on Monday 27 January, and will appear on screen from late March.
Soap producer Stuart Blackburn said of his new signing, "Les is a fantastic performer and a real coup for Corrie. I can't wait for him to join the team."
Les is best known for his 15 year stint on the game show Family Fortunes
Les has previously appeared in a number of other soaps, including Crossroads, Casualty and Brookside. He also starred in the Ricky Gervais comedy Life's Too Short in 2012, and last year took on a role in the West End playing King Arthur in Spamalot.