Published: 16/10/09,

The new Nick Tilsley has been cast.

Ben, who played bisexual love rat Conrad Gates in Footballers' Wives, takes over the role from Adam Rickitt, who played Gail's eldest son Nick from 1997 to his last appearance in 2004.

Nick returns to the cobbles in time for Christmas as his mum plans her wedding to Joe.

But things get messy from the start when he has a dangerous liaison with Joe’s daughter Tina, who also happens to be his brother David’s ex!

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

With Nick’s ex wife Leanne also in town and ex fiancée Maria due to return from Ireland next year, things are bound to get interesting!

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.”

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