Royle Corrie role

Member of famous family set to grace the Cobbles?...

10:03 07 March 2012

Coronation Street bosses are said to be wooing a member of the Royle Family for a role in the famous cobbled street.

Actress Sue Johnston, who plays Barbara in the Royle Family, is reportedly about to sign on the dotted line to take on  a role in the ITV1 soap.

Street bosses want the Waking the Dead star to join the soap as landlady Stella's mother.

A Corrie insider told the Sun:

"Everyone is thrilled. She's a brilliant actress. We can't wait to have a member of the Royle Family walking down those famous cobbles and enjoying a drink in the Rovers."

It would be the second time Johnston has starred in the show, after playing the bookie Sammy ChadwickÂ’s wife in the 1980s.

She later found fame in Channel 4Â’s Brookside, playing Sheila Grant for eight years. 

She also starred in Jennifer SaundersÂ’ comedy Jam and Jerusalem and gritty cold case procedural Waking the Dead as Dr Grace Foley on BBC One.

The source added:

"Sue would be a perfect addition to Weatherfield. She is the only person we are talking to about the role.

"She is keen and we're keen so it should hopefully be a done deal very soon."