Ben Price to play Nick Tilsley in Coronation St

Ex Footballers' Wives star Ben Price has been cast in the role of Nick Tilsley for the character's return to Coronation Street in December.

Ben, who played bisexual love rat Conrad Gates, takes over the role from Adam Rickitt, who starred as Gail Platt's eldest son Nick between 1997 and 2004.

Nick returns to Coronation Street in time for Christmas as his mum plans her wedding to Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale).

But soap producers said things would get off to a messy start, when he has a 'dangerous liaison' with Joe's daughter Tina (Michelle Keegan), who also used to go out with his brother David (Jack P Shepherd).

Neither Tina nor Nick are aware of each other's identity - until they meet up again on Christmas Day.

Nick's ex wife Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) is also back in town and ex fiancee Maria Connor (Samia Smith) is due to return from Ireland next year, providing scope for plenty of interesting storylines.

Ben said: "I am absolutely delighted to get this part. I have been seen a couple of times for Coronation Street characters in the past few years, but I am pleased now that I didn't get those roles.

"I am really looking forward to stamping my own mark on the character of Nick."

Most recently, Ben played Nathan Spencer in Casualty.

Ben begins filming on Monday October 19 and will be seen on screen for the first time on December 21.

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