Doughty: 'I joined a gym for Corrie'

Kenny Doughty has admitted that he decided to join a gym in preparation for his role on Coronation Street.

The 30-year-old's new part as builder Jake on the Weatherfield drama sees him wearing just a towel in the Rovers next week.

Jake makes a surprise arrival into Michelle Connor's (Kym Marsh) life by tumbling into her bathroom window and seeing her naked. In a later scene, the labourer makes a deal with the barmaid and shows off his own body as he asks her on a date.

Speaking to DS, Doughty revealed: "It was one of those things where I read it and thought, 'Okay, I should probably join a gym for that one!'."

He continued: "You have to, don't you? Mainly because he's a labourer and they're well fit guys, they're in shape. So I needed to get in shape anyway but obviously there's a mild actor neurosis which says there's probably ten million watching so I should probably make a bit more effort!"

Doughty's character remains in the Street for six episodes, but he has already been tipped for a possible return in the future.

The actor added: "I guess that means I'll need to keep my gym membership up if that's the case!"

> Click here to read our interview with Kenny Doughty
> Click here to read more from Kenny Doughty in Soap Scoop