Shayne Ward to send 'female hearts fluttering' as he joins Coronation Street
Singer Shayne Ward is about to send “female hearts fluttering” as he joins Coronation Street.
The 30-year-old – who found fame after winning the second series of The X Factor – will play Aidan Connor, a distant cousin of Michelle (Kym Marsh) who grew up on the same estate as her and Carla (Alison King).
Ward’s character is penned as a heartthrob who will send “female hearts fluttering” but will make an enemy of Tracy Barlow’s ex husband Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmill).
The stage performer said he was in "total disbelief" when he was offered the part.
"On hearing the news I had been offered the part on the show I was in total disbelief," he said. "It still hasn't sunk in. Shayne Ward the lad from Manchester, given such a role on such an iconic show - it is an absolute dream come true. I'm excited to walk down those famous cobbles."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'm so happy right now. Keeping this a secret was tough. OMG....I'm gonna be on 'CORONATION STREET' Aaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhh <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AidanConnor?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-49261-https://twitter.com/hashtag/AidanConnor?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#AidanConnor</a>— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/shayneTward/status/598038314453737472" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-49261-https://twitter.com/shayneTward/status/598038314453737472" data-vars-event-id="c23">May 12, 2015</a>
He continued: “My family and friends know just how much this means to me and I cannot wait to do them all proud. 2015 has been a great year for me so far and I look forward to joining the Coronation Street family."
Executive producer Stuart Blackburn said: ”When Shayne came in and auditioned we knew he was up against some very stiff competition. But he blew us away from the very get go delivering a charm and a swagger that is perfect for the character. I can't wait to see him in action!”
Ward - who received a nomination at the 2012 What's On Stage Awards for his role in Rock of Ages in the West End - has signed a one year contract and will arrive on the Corrie cobbles in August after hearing that Carla is having problems at the factory.
He is the latest name in a string of new castings for the ITV soap. Former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has joined as Robert Prestons on screen love interest and Take Me Out presenter Paddy McGuinness will start filming for a guest role as a survival expert.
