Antony Cotton has signed a new Coronation Street deal to stick around on the cobbles.
The 44-year-old actor will continue to play Sean Tully until at least autumn next year after holding talks with bosses about his future and penning a new big-money cobbles contract.
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He told the Daily Star newspaper’s Hot TV column: “I had a meeting about my future. I didn’t sign up straightaway. You have to negotiate a little bit!
“It will be my 17th year. I’m so pleased because I love being on the show.”
The soap star – who is also a long-term supporter of the Armed Forces charity SSAFA – feels like he has “three families” because of his work life.
He explained: “I spend more time with my Corrie family than I do with my real one.”
He went on to reveal how “lucky” he is to have his real family, his Corrie family and his military family.
Antony also teased his character’s future storylines as he hinted Sean will be involved with a “returning” old favourite later in the year.
He said: “Towards the end of this year, I’ve got a big storyline. I will be working with someone that the audience may have seen before … maybe someone is returning!”
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His contract announcement comes a year after Antony signed his previous 12-month extension to keep him on the ITV show, and he admitted at the time he thought his initial Corrie stint would be short lived.
He revealed to the Mirror: “I genuinely thought I’d be here for three months.
“I thought that would be really great – regular work then off to the next job. So I’m amazed it’s 15 years. I’m proud of Sean. He’s been a beautiful part of my life for so long now.”
Coronation Street is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
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