Keith Duffy in talks for Corrie return

Former Coronation Street actor and Boyzone singer Keith Duffy is in talks to make a return to the ITV soap in the New Year.

The 34-year-old Irish star played the role of Peter Barlow's (Chris Gascoyne) old navy friend Ciaran McCarthy for nearly two and a half years between February 2003 and July 2005, before quitting to spend more time with his family.

The Sun claims that Duffy is to sign a six-month contract to reprise his role as womanising barman Ciaran with a six-month option.

A Coronation Street source this morning confirmed to DS: "Keith has been to the studios recently and he is talking with producers about a potential return in the New Year."

At the end of last month, ITV tweeted: "Spotted Boyzone's Keith Duffy on the Corrie set today! Could he back or just visiting old pals?"

At the time of his screen exit, Duffy revealed that he ended his commitment to the show to save his then-ailing marriage to his wife Lisa.

Since his departure, he has suggested a number of times that he would like to return to Weatherfield

During his time on the cobbles, Ciaran was romantically involved with Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay), her mother Bev (Susie Blake), Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and end-of-year returnee Sunita Parekh (Shobna Gulati).

Duffy, who reunited with his Boyzone bandmates in 2007, recently suggested that despite his character's womanising ways, Ciaran could be gay.

"My time right now is obviously dedicated to the [Boyzone] lads and we're having a great time, we're really enjoying ourselves," he said, adding: "But everything comes to an end eventually, so maybe if it does I'll go back and get Ciaran McCarthy out of the closet."