Corrie cast Bollywood barmaid

Coronation Street producers have cast a Bollywood actress to take on the role of the ITV soap's 51st Rovers barmaid.

Indian-born Sophiya Haque is to play Poppy, a friend of Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald (Bev Callard). Liz chooses Poppy as her new assistant manager out of spite for her son's fiancée Michelle Connor (Kym Ryder).

A show spokesperson said: "Poppy is feisty and fun and will keep the men of Weatherfield on their toes."

Haque begins filming at Granada Studios, the soap's Manchester home, at the end of the month and will first appear on screen in November.

Last week, Poppy Jhakra joined Corrie as Minnie, a kebab shop worker and friend of Amber (Nikki Patel).