Corrie fans can look forward to a new face on the cobbles later this year after signing a 26-year-old actor with Down's syndrome.

Liam Bairstow will play Alex, the nephew of Roy Cropper’s new love interest Cathy Matthews.

Liam was previously part of a theatre group called Mind The Gap before Corrie bosses discovered his acting talent.

Show producer Stuart Blackburn explained: “We ran a workshop called Breaking Through a while ago, which was for actors with disabilities.

“It was recognising that they get so few auditions, and actually we found a young guy there called Liam Bairstow, an actor with Down's syndrome.

“He's going to be coming in as Cathy's nephew. It's not some politically correct thing. We actually found there a really great actor with a wonderful sense of timing.”

Stuart added: “The cast have been really enjoying working with him.”

Coronation Street announced their exciting new casting on their Twitter page, writing: “Cathy's nephew Alex to be played by Liam Bairstow who was cast during ITV's #breakingthroughtalent #CorriePressDay.”

Viewers were delighted with the casting, with one fan writing: “Thank you wish I saw more diversity on TV.”

Another typed: “This is fantastic news! Well Done Corrie!”