Former Brookside star Simon O'Brien is set to join Coronation Street, ITV has confirmed. The actor is best known to soap fans for playing the Channel 4 soap's Damon Grant, and in his new role he is expected to be Sean Tully's next love interest.
Simon started filming at Corrie two months ago, taking on the part of Weatherfield newcomer Frank Bardsley.
Frank will make his first appearance on the cobbles later this month, when he meets Sean at the Rovers Return and starts flirting with him.
Simon is remembered by soap fans for playing Brookside's Damon from the show's launch in 1982 until 1987. Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston played his on-screen parents Bobby and Sheila in the show.
Simon also has a place in soap history as his character was memorably killed off in three-part Brookside spin-off series Damon and Debbie. This is often credited as the UK's first ever 'soap bubble' featuring established characters in their own standalone episodes.
After leaving Brookside, Simon had a regular role on the US sitcom Out All Night in 1992 and 1993.
More recently, he has worked regularly as a TV presenter on property shows like The Great House Giveaway.
