Craig Charles to stay on Coronation Street for the foreseeable future

Corrie actor Craig Charles, who plays Lloyd Mullaney, says he will be staying in Weatherfield for a few years yet.

Speaking to Soaplife he said: "I don't want to leave - I've just signed another extension. I had a three-year deal with options and I've just picked up my options. I'm going to be able to explore different sides to Lloyd's character."

He has been on an extended break from the soap while making new episodes of Red Dwarf but will be returning to our screens in the next few weeks. Craig revealed where Lloyd has been and how he will be written back in: "He invested in a land deal in Jamaica with a family member, but it went belly up. So he's come back to Manchester and is working for a dodgy old cab firm and one day his engine blows up. When the smoke clears, Steve is standing there and they start chatting. Steve offers Lloyd a job back at Streetcars - but Lloyd gets the idea he's inviting him back as a partner."