Keegan lands 12-month Corrie contract

Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan has been handed another year's contract with the soap.

The 21-year-old actress, who plays David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) girlfriend Tina McIntyre, turned up on the Cobbles in January last year and has since established herself as a key character.

Speaking of her new contract, she said: "My contract has been renewed for another year and I am thrilled to bits. My career has taken off. I've got a lot of juicy storylines coming up and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

A Corrie insider told the Daily Star: "Michelle has done a fantastic job since her character was introduced. It is not easy establishing yourself as a regular cast member but she has done just that."

They added: "She is a very talented actress and is really popular among the Corrie fans. We have big plans and there are some fantastic storylines coming up for her in the next 12 months."

Her storylines have seen Tina go through with a secret termination behind David's back after discovering that she was pregnant with his baby, coping with David's short stint in a Young Offenders' Institute, and helping to introduce the Windass family to the Street.

Last year, she won the best newcomer trophy at the British Soap Awards.