Craig Kelly: 'I knew Luke was for me'

Coronation Street newcomer Craig Kelly has revealed that he 'instinctively knew' that his character Luke Strong was right for him when producers pitched the idea.

The 38-year-old former Queer As Folk actor signed up to play Weatherfield's new factory boss at the end of last year. His arrival in the ITV soap comes within two weeks of Carla Gordon's dramatic departure from the Street as actress Alison King left for maternity leave.

In an exclusive interview with DS, Kelly said of his role: "I instinctively knew that this was for me. Even though it's a big step and a change of direction for me, it's still acting and I'm still getting paid for what I love doing. It's all exciting and quite surreal, especially when you walk onto the Street for the first time."

He added: I've never played a character that's as similar to me as Luke is before. I've only really ever played psychotic transsexuals or gay men that are like door mats. They've been very varied character roles and it's rare that such a fun role as Luke comes up."

Luke makes his first appearance on Friday, February 20 when he swoops into Weatherfield to take control of Carla's 60% majority share of Underworld, much to her husband Tony's (Gray O'Brien) frustration.

Kelly played the iconic character of Vince Tyler in Queer As Folk and can currently be heard narrating Channel 4 reality series Shipwrecked.

> Click here to read our full interview with Craig Kelly