Former Coronation Street actor Chris Quinten (real name Christopher Bell) has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Quinten, who played the part of mechanic Brian Tilsley in the soap in the 1980s, has reportedly been accused of attacking a woman in a nightclub during the early hours of Saturday morning.

After appearing at a London police station yesterday, Quinten has been released on bail until next month.

The Daily Mail reports that the actor was charged with assaulting a former lover in 2000, but the case was later dropped.